By S Paul
I refer to the news items published in Garhwal Post daily news journal on page 12 of 20 April and page 11 of 22 April 2026. In my memory, never before has this journal published about such news of fire in crackers factories. I take it that our media, like me, is surprised why our very enthusiastic and active environmentalists have not taken up the cause of this kind of pollution in the valley as vehemently as for cutting down trees and traffic mismanagement. After the recent horrendous announcement by our young enthusiastic CM that it is his wish to convert Dehradun into a metropolis, we have seen many a Doon lover coming out with polite reposts against this idea.
I feel that many more should come out now demanding a complete ban on the use of crackers for all kinds of celebrations in the valley and adjoining hills. Because the noise produced by using crackers and loud DJ music has completely driven out the salubrious ambience for which this valley and the hill were so well known. Even the animals and birds are agitated. Elephants attacking a Kanwad group using their Music with Loudspeakers at Lachhiwala should not be just laughed away. I consider this a very repugnant infringement on the uniqueness of this our habitat, given the sobriquet ‘salubrious’, when we are disturbed in our late nights (even up to 2 a.m.) and early mornings (even at 4 a.m.) by these crackers and the DJs. All this is happening because our government and planners have let loose a deluge of rehabilitators from all over without their qualifying for the honour of settling here. Perhaps that was inevitable for many progressive reasons for the advancement of our nascent state.
Unfortunately, this dirty Chinese invention, firecracker, has become an essential item of festivities in India. Although they are traditionally being utilised at festivals like Diwali, they are also being used at weddings, sporting events, political rallies, religious meetings, and in some places, funerals or death processions. The sparkle and the bursting perhaps fill us with momentary joy, but we ought not to forget that many lives were lost making them. Therefore, our entertainment can be branded as based on ‘Nar Bali’. Besides, there is a price we pay for their extensive use. The toxic gases and tiny particles released by firecrackers are a major source of air pollution. Additionally, they contribute to noise pollution, which impacts not only babies, sick and elderly people but also animals and birds. The careless handling of firecrackers, particularly by children, results in numerous accidents and injuries each year. The loud jarring music invariably adversely affects our hearing.
For the sake of this valley-hill and Devbhoomi, our government and its enforcers should at least exercise strict implementations of regulations available to us on such pollutants. In India, firecracker usage is regulated by “The noise pollution (regulation and control) rules, 2000” and Supreme Court orders, typically restricting them to 8–10 p.m.for festivities. Only certified “green crackers” are permitted, with noise limits set at 125 dB at 4 metres. Bursting crackers is banned in “silence zones” (100m near hospitals/schools) and at night (10 p.m.–6 a.m.). Flying squads equipped with Sound Level Meters and with the help of drones can track the spot where such pollution is being committed, breaking the law. Huge posters and hoardings should be put up for the citizens to know about these regulations and punishment for breaking it. Our institutes of education should include this knowledge in their Civic Science teaching. And our environmentalists should jolt the administration out of their slumber even if we must resort to a judicial jousting.
I wonder whether the administration permits a licence to anybody to start a commercial wedding point arena without checking its vicinity for the density of human habitat! Such a wedding arena ought to be in the suburbs or on the outskirts of a city. This would also significantly reduce the accidental fire caused by the falling debris of fire rockets or a ground burst.
Let me state an incident that I saw at the Jolly Grant Airport on 14 March awaiting a visitor. I suddenly saw loud crackers and rockets being lit next to the airport’s aviation fuel dump. I was surprised that there was no reaction either by the security or the management of the Airport. Such carelessness and awareness even of the citizens of the valley is extremely dangerous.
Our administration, our law enforcers, our environmentalists and even our conscientious city folks should be aware of the provisions of the laws and regulations of such kinds of pollution to make sure strict and urgent steps are taken to reign in the errant public. This call to wake up against this kind of pollution should not be just read and forgotten. The bad habit is spreading unchecked as our religious pilgrims have started using crackers to celebrate even at those our holiest of holy Char Dhams.
