The NGT last week issued notices to 23 states and Union territories regarding the imposition of a ban on firecrackers in a bid to protect the health of the vulnerable groups.
While India gets ready to celebrate the colour of lights Deepawali, several states and UT governments have decided to impose a ban on firecrackers and its sale ahead due to the increasing air pollution and coronavirus crisis in the country.
On Monday, the National Green Tribunal will hear and pronounce its order on the imposition of a temporary ban on sale and use of firecrackers across 23 states.
The NGT had recently sought response of the Union Environment Ministry, the governments of Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, the Central Pollution Control Board, the Delhi Police Commissioner and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee on whether the use of firecrackers should be banned from November 7-30.
On Wednesday, the tribunal said that it may have to consider directions to prohibit the use of firecrackers during the period air quality is beyond a threshold to protect the health of the vulnerable groups.
So far, a total of eight states have imposed a ban on firecrackers
Delhi
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on November 5 announced the ban on the use of firecrackers in the national capital after reviewing the situation. "Coronavirus cases have increased due to the festival season and pollution. It was decided to ban crackers in Delhi and ramp up medical infrastructure, among other measures," he said.
Kejriwal also appealed people to not use firecrackers this Diwali for the safety of their kids and family.
Maharashtra
Maharashtra government on November 6 issued guidelines for the citizens to keep in mind while celebrating Diwali. The government urged to the people to not burst crackers during Diwali as it damages the environment and adds to the air pollution and noise pollution.
Mumbai's civic body, the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) imposed a ban on the bursting of firecrackers at public places during Diwali in view of rising COVID-19 cases in the city.
West Bengal
The Calcutta High Court on November 5 ordered a ban on bursting and sale of of all kinds of crackers or fireworks for Kali Puja, Diwali, and Chhatpuja in West Bengal. The order was passed by a division bench of justices Sanjib Banerjee and Arijit Banerjee while hearing Public Interest Litigations (PILs).
Odisha
On November 3, the Odisha government had passed an order banning the sale and use of firecrackers across the state during the festive season to check air pollution which can create serious problems for COVID-19 patients. According to the goverment's order, the ban will remain in place from November 10 to 30.
Chief Secretary A K Tripathy issued a direction to prohibit sale and use of firecrackers in all parts of the state from November 10 to 30. "Any person found violating this order shall be punished under the provision of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and other relevant laws," the order said.
Rajasthan
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot was the first to announce the ban on the sae and bursting of firecrackers during Diwali this year. On November 2, Gehlot tweeted, "State govt has taken the decision to ban the sale and bursting of firecrackers in order to protect the health of COVID-19 infected patients & public from poisonous smoke emanating due to fireworks. In this challenging corona pandemic time, protecting lives of ppl is paramount for govt."
Sikkim
Due to the onset of a pandemic, the Sikkim government has imposed a complete ban on firecrackers throughout the state until further notice is given.
Chandigarh
The Union Territory of Chandigarh has also issued a ban on selling and bursting of firecrackers of all types with immediate effect.
Haryana
The Haryana government on November 6 declared the possession and sale of imported firecrackers illegal and punishable across the state. However, two days after announcing a complete ban on the sale of firecrackers, the Manohar Lal Khattar government allowed bursting them for two hours on Diwali. This decision has been taken in view of the rising levels of pollution while adhering to the guidelines issued by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to decrease air pollution, according to a government release.
Karnataka
On November 6, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa announced the ban on the use of firecrackers in the state, adding that a formal order in this regard will be issued soon. "We have discussed it (cracker ban), we are taking a decision to ban the use of firecrackers during Deepavali. The government will soon be issuing an order to this effect," Yediyurappa said. However, hours after the CM's announcement, the Karnataka government announced that the sale and bursting of 'green crackers', as per Supreme Court guidelines, will be allowed in the state during Deepavali.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Wednesday had issued notices to 23 states and Union territories regarding the imposition of a ban on firecrackers in a bid to protect the health of the vulnerable groups amidst the double whammy of pollution crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.
This came two days after the NGT issued a notice to the environment ministry, Delhi police commissioner, governments of Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, Central Pollution Control Board and DPCC on whether the firecrackers be banned for some period.
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