THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : Festivals are all about high levels of air and noise pollution and with different types of crackers making way into the market, noise decibels can get extremely loud. As Diwali and Christmas approaches, the Kerala Sate Pollution Control Board is gearing up to create awareness among school students regarding noise and air pollution.
The recent Supreme Court order has banned the sale of crackers via online portals. The order also cites that citizens will be allowed to burst crackers only between 8 pm and 10 pm during Diwali while the time allotted for Christmas and New Year’s eve is between 11.55 pm and 12.30 am. “We appreciate the Supreme Court order and will be following the guidelines given by the Court. The first part of the order will be followed by checking the air quality before and after Diwali,” said K Sajeevan, chairman of Kerala Sate Pollution Control Board.
To spread awareness about the rising levels of air pollution among school children, KSPCB has also planned to screen short film on air pollution in all the schools in the state. Sajeevan also said there is a need for more public awareness so people can avoid buying eco un-friendly firecrackers and stick to ‘green’ firecrackers.
Officials said the State Pollution Control Board and the Central Pollution Board will also measure the air particulate matter (pm) - 2.5 and 10- seven days ahead of Diwali and seven days after Diwali. “ As part of the order, we will be checking the air quality in all areas. Our request is to reduce the use of loud firecrackers. The Department of Explosives will check the composition of these firecrackers,” Sajeevan said.
Court guidelines