The Fiery Debate: Are Green Crackers Truly the Answer to Diwali's Air Pollution Woes?

Diwali, the festival of lights, is undeniably one of India's most cherished celebrations. Yet, year after year, the joyous burst of fireworks transforms into a choking cloud of smog, raising serious concerns about air quality and public health. This persistent environmental challenge led to the introduction of "green crackers" – an initiative aimed at allowing festive revelry without the extreme environmental cost.

But are these eco-friendlier alternatives genuinely the solution we've been seeking?

The concept of green crackers emerged from the scientific community, specifically the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI). Unlike their traditional counterparts, these crackers are designed to produce significantly less particulate matter and noxious gases.

They achieve this by reducing the use of harmful chemicals, most notably by excluding barium nitrate – a key ingredient in conventional crackers responsible for many toxic emissions.

Three main types of green crackers have been developed: SWAS (Safe Water Releaser), SAFAL (Safe Minimal Aluminium), and STAR (Safe Thermite Cracker).

SWAS crackers, for instance, release water vapour, which helps suppress dust, and they avoid the use of potassium nitrate and sulfur. SAFAL crackers minimize the use of aluminium, and STAR crackers are designed with oxidizers that further reduce emissions. The promise? A reduction of up to 30% in particulate matter and significantly lower emissions of harmful gases like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.

The legal landscape surrounding crackers has been tumultuous.

Following Supreme Court directives aimed at curbing air pollution, a ban was initially imposed on traditional crackers, with green crackers eventually getting a nod for use. This move was intended to strike a balance between cultural practices and environmental responsibility. Manufacturers were tasked with producing these certified green alternatives, and consumers were encouraged to make the switch.

However, the journey of green crackers from concept to widespread adoption has been fraught with challenges.

One of the biggest hurdles is identification. With counterfeit products rampant, distinguishing genuine green crackers from regular ones can be incredibly difficult for the average consumer. Many look identical, and the certification logos are not always clear or consistently displayed. This lack of clear differentiation often leads to confusion and, regrettably, the continued sale and use of illegal, highly polluting crackers.

Furthermore, awareness remains a critical issue.

Despite efforts, a large segment of the population is still unaware of what green crackers are, their benefits, or where to purchase authentic ones. Availability is another constraint; in many regions, green crackers are either scarce or priced higher than traditional ones, making them less accessible or appealing to price-sensitive buyers.

Perhaps the most significant debate revolves around their actual impact.

While lab tests show a reduction in pollution, critics argue that a 30% reduction, while positive, might not be enough to tackle the severe air quality issues experienced during Diwali, especially in densely populated urban areas. The sheer volume of crackers burst, even if they are "green," can still overwhelm the air quality.

The question lingers: are green crackers a genuine step towards a cleaner Diwali, or merely a stop-gap measure that doesn't fully address the root cause of the problem?

As India grapples with the annual challenge of Diwali pollution, green crackers represent a well-intentioned effort to innovate.

Yet, for them to truly become a game-changer, there's a clear need for stricter enforcement, enhanced public awareness, clearer product identification, and perhaps, a deeper societal shift towards more environmentally conscious celebrations. The future of Diwali's air quality may depend not just on what we burst, but how we celebrate.