National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Wednesday issued notices to 23 states and Union territories (UTs) regarding the imposition of a ban on firecrackers in a bid to protect the health of people amid the pollution crisis and Covid pandemic.
A batch of pleas in the matter sought their stand on whether the firecrackers be banned for the period from November 7 to November 30 in the interest of the public health and environment.
This came two days after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) issued a notice to the environment ministry, Delhi police commissioner, governments of Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, Central Pollution Control Board and DPCC on whether the firecrackers be banned for some period.
The Bench of NGT chairperson Adarsh Kumar Goel sought response of other states on a batch of applications, seeking a ban on the firecrackers across the country during the time the air quality is unsatisfactory. The Bench noted that there are expert views that say with increased air pollution, the virus can cause more damage. The tribunal also noted that the scope of proceedings may need to be extended beyond the National Capital Region.
“Number of diseases may also increase. There are reports in the public domain that air quality of Delhi is deteriorating and further deterioration may give rise to an increase in Covid cases,” the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had said. “Firecrackers emit poisonous gases like SO2, NOX, CO as well as metals, besides creating noise. In the given climatic conditions, this may result in respiratory/pulmonary diseases, diabetes, hypertension and other diseases,” said the tribunal.
