Clean up cracker remains so animals don't get hurt, says animal welfare society

While the festival of lights brings joy to all, it spells doom for many birds and animals, especially strays. The Plant & Animals Welfare Society (PAWS) has written to the municipal corporation of Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane urging them to take enough precautions to protect animals and birds during Diwali.

According Sunish Kunju, secretary of PAWS, a large number of wild birds, especially owls, are poached as part of an illegal trade and sent to be sacrificed during Diwali. The owl is listed under Schedule - IV of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

The activist said that leftovers of used crackers are poisonous and animals have a tendency to chew on them. "The sharp metal used in crackers can cause serious injuries and often death," he said.

"Animals and birds go through immense stress due to high decibel levels caused by crackers. We urge you to create awareness among the public to celebrate with noise-free crackers. Please take appropriate measures to curtail loud bursting of crackers, and ensure that people who burst crackers also clean up the area," the letter mentioned.

"Scared animals run towards the road and often come in front of moving vehicles. Birds too get injured when crackers shoot into trees. It is important to prohibit bursting of crackers near bird feeding areas, under bird nesting trees, near the zoo and national park," he added.

A senior official from BMC's waste management department said, "We clean up cracker remains immediately after the festival is over. We hope residents also chip in and dispose the crackers in bins."