INDIA: The Supreme Court has made it clear that the country as a whole, not only Delhi-NCR, will be subject to its 2021 decision prohibiting all firecrackers other than the green ones. The bench noted during the hearing that adults are the ones who set off fireworks “these days,” not youngsters, and that it is everyone’s responsibility to preserve the environment.
A bench of Justices AS Bopanna and MM Sundresh denied the need for new directives after hearing a petition asking the Rajasthan government to obey court orders prohibiting the use of firecrackers that use barium salts and other polluting chemicals as well as reducing noise and air pollution during festive periods.
The Supreme Court issued a ban on the use of firecrackers containing barium salts in 2021 and warned to hold high-ranking officials personally accountable for any infractions. The court established time slots in 2018 for bursting of firecrackers, permitting them to be detonated between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Diwali and between 11:55 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. on Christmas and New Year’s Day.
The bench stated during the hearing on Tuesday that at this point, no special ruling is required because this court has issued multiple orders indicating ways to limit and avoid air and noise pollution. It added that the orders will bind all states in the country, including Rajasthan.
As a result, we make it clear that the state of Rajasthan will take note of this and take all necessary steps to reduce air and noise pollution, not just during the festival season, but also afterward, the bench said.
Due to the weddings that are happening in the region, the petitioner’s attorney asked for guidance from the Udaipur administration, citing an increase in noise and air pollution during the festive season.
The attorney for Rajasthan has asked people to refrain from setting off fireworks during Diwali, saying that everyone has a responsibility to do so in addition to the court.
The court made it clear that everyone must reduce pollution and safeguard the environment in addition to their own. During a recent Delhi pollution hearing, the Supreme Court stressed that the matter should not be turned into a political conflict and that bad air quality is the cause of the “murder of people’s health.”
Also Read: Bombay High Court Restricts Diwali Fireworks to Three Hours Due to Air Pollution
