Appeal for eco-friendly Deepavali: Bursting crackers permitted only between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.

MYSURU Appealing for an eco-friendly Deepavali, the district administrations of Kodagu and Chamarajanagar have made it clear that firecrackers can be burst only between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. While Deputy Commissioner of Kodagu S.J. Somashekar cited the National Green Tribunal’s order that made it clear that only green crackers recommended by the CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) should be used, the Deputy Commissioner of Chamarajanagar referred to the Supreme Court directions and said bursting of crackers during the remaining hours — other than the permitted hours between 8 p.m.

and 10 p.m. — was completely prohibited. Mr. Somashekar also said that the stocking, sale and use of firecrackers that generate noise exceeding 125 decibels have been strictly prohibited.

In a statement here, Mr. Somashekar said that several chemicals are used in the manufacture of firecrackers, many of which possess explosive properties. When firecrackers are burst, the chemicals released into the atmosphere contribute to air pollution, he said.