Supreme Court Allows 'Green Crackers' with Strict Conditions

In a recent directive, the Supreme Court has allowed certified manufacturers to produce 'green crackers' in India, but with a strict condition that they cannot be sold in the banned Delhi-NCR region without the court's approval. These eco-friendly fireworks, developed by CSIR-NEERI, aim to reduce air and noise pollution by removing harmful chemicals and using additives that suppress dust and release water vapor.

However, the idea of 'green crackers' has been met with skepticism from various experts. Some claim that these crackers are expected to emit nearly 30% fewer pollutants, while others have criticized the Delhi government's decision, calling the concept an 'oxymoron'. Experts argue that it would be nearly impossible for authorities to distinguish between the use of green and conventional crackers, and any progress made by the former would be immediately offset if used in large numbers.

Adding to the woes, the market has been flooded with fake 'green crackers' that contain the same banned chemicals, such as barium nitrate, lead, arsenic, and antimony, which make conventional crackers toxic. This has made the classification process extremely difficult, further complicating the pollution crisis in Delhi, which often experiences 'severe' air quality levels during the Diwali season.