Cracker conundrum, Pg6

Key Highlights:

• Post-Deepavali, several North Indian cities, including Delhi, recorded 'severe' Air Quality Index (AQI) levels following the Supreme Court's temporary relaxation of the cracker ban.
• PM2.5 levels in Delhi and its outskirts exceeded 1,000 on Diwali night, indicating extreme air pollution.
• Delhi's average AQI consistently rose after Diwali, for instance, from 350 to 376 in 2026.
• The Supreme Court is seeking direct quantitative evidence on the health and environmental effects of cracker emissions, which is challenging to provide.
• CSIR-NEERI developed 'green' crackers, which reduce emissions by only 30%-45% under stringent laboratory conditions.

Detailed Insights:

• Air quality degradation in North India is a complex issue influenced by vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, construction dust, stubble burning, and meteorological factors.
• The precise contribution of firecrackers to overall pollution spikes is difficult to isolate from other emission sources and atmospheric conditions.
• The Supreme Court was informed that an absolute ban on crackers might inadvertently encourage the trade of illegal crackers from across the border.
• The Court has acknowledged significant implementation challenges in policing cracker sales, but these issues remain largely unaddressed.
• The article suggests that the Court has paid "lip service" to constitutional provisions that prioritize health and life over religious customs.
• There is a call for the Supreme Court to issue a definitive ruling and guide the government in formulating a time-bound policy for regulating cracker manufacture, sale, and burning.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Air Quality Index (AQI): A numerical scale used to report daily air quality levels and associated health risks, ranging from 0 to 500.
• PM2.5: Fine particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less, capable of penetrating deep into the lungs and bloodstream, causing significant health issues.
• Green Crackers: Firecrackers developed by CSIR-NEERI with modified chemical formulations to reduce particulate matter and gaseous emissions by at least 30%, though they are not pollution-free.
• Article 21: A fundamental right in the Indian Constitution guaranteeing the right to life and personal liberty, which includes the right to a pollution-free environment.
• Article 25: A fundamental right in the Indian Constitution guaranteeing freedom of conscience and the right to profess, practice, and propagate religion, subject to public order, morality, and health.