The Supreme Court has temporarily eased the blanket ban on firecrackers in the Delhi–NCR, allowing the use of government-approved green crackers.
Key Highlights of SC Directions
- Usage is strictly limited to specified days and time slots.
- Only NEERI-approved crackers can be sold through authorised outlets.
- Crackers containing banned chemicals or sold via e-commerce platforms remain prohibited.
- Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) will monitor air quality to assess the impact of this temporary relaxation.
Significance
- The SC’s decision reflects a pragmatic balance between environmental protection and cultural traditions, recognising the need to respect both public health and festive sentiments.
- It may also serve as a pilot initiative for evidence-based policymaking, depending on the air quality data collected during this period.
What are Green Crackers?
- Developed by CSIR–NEERI, green crackers are designed to reduce environmental impact compared to traditional fireworks.
- While not entirely pollution-free, they cut particulate matter (PM) emissions by at least 30% and exclude harmful chemicals such as barium nitrate, arsenic, lithium, and mercury.
- They were first introduced in the Arjun Gopal vs Union of India (2018) judgment, which banned conventional firecrackers.
