Sound And Fiery, Pg6

Key Highlights:

• The Supreme Court of India has maintained an evolving stance on firecracker sales in the National Capital Region (NCR), initially suspending licenses in 2016 due to severe air pollution.
• In 2018, the Court, in the case of Arjun Gopal and Others vs Union of India and Others, permitted only reduced-emission or "green" crackers and imposed a two-hour bursting window.
• The latest order allows specified next-generation joined green crackers, declining a complete ban, citing public sentiment.
• Despite regulations, Delhi's post-Deepavali PM2.5 average reached 488 µg/m³ in 2025, the highest since 2021, indicating the limited effectiveness of current measures.
• "Green crackers," promoted by CSIR-NEERI, claim a 45%-60% reduction in PM10, but their real-world efficacy and enforcement remain significant challenges.

Detailed Insights:

• The Supreme Court's intervention began in November 2016 after Deepavali celebrations pushed PM2.5 levels above 700 µg/m³ in the NCR.
• The Court's approach has varied, from outright suspension of licenses to relaxation and subsequent restoration of bans for Deepavali.
• The 2018 judgment in Arjun Gopal and Others vs Union of India and Others aimed to balance environmental protection with livelihoods and religious practices by allowing only "green" crackers.
• Green crackers, developed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI), are designed to be less polluting by using alternative chemicals and reducing particulate matter emissions by 30-40%.
• However, the article highlights that the claimed benefits of green crackers often do not translate to real-world conditions, especially when burst in larger quantities.
• Enforcement is a major hurdle, with the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) noting instances of QR codes being sold to unregistered manufacturers, allowing unauthorized firecrackers to be passed off as certified.
• Other significant contributors to winter pollution in Delhi and NCR include construction dust, vehicular emissions, stubble burning, and stagnant cold air.
• The Environment Protection Act, 1986, provides the central government with broad powers to protect and improve environmental quality and control pollution, under which such regulations are framed.
• The ongoing struggle underscores the need for comprehensive strategies, including formalizing firecracker manufacturing, stricter adherence to regulations, and increased public awareness regarding health impacts.

Key Concepts Involved:

• PM2.5: Fine inhalable particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less, capable of penetrating deep into the lungs and bloodstream.
• PM10: Inhalable particulate matter with a diameter of 10 micrometers or less, which can enter the upper respiratory tract.
• Green Crackers: Environmentally modified fireworks developed by CSIR-NEERI to reduce air and noise pollution by using less harmful chemicals and suppressing dust.
• National Capital Region (NCR): A coordinated planning region centered on the National Capital Territory of Delhi, encompassing parts of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
• Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM): A statutory body established in 2021 to coordinate, research, identify, and resolve air quality problems in the NCR and adjoining areas.