The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation has urged businesses and citizens to comply with laws regarding fireworks, emphasizing that the production, sale, or use of fireworks exceeding 125 dB is illegal. The Supreme Court has banned fireworks containing harmful elements like barium and mercury due to their toxic emissions. Citizens can use fireworks only between 7 PM and 10 PM. Educational institutions must promote awareness about the environmental impacts of fireworks. The municipality encourages a firecracker-free, eco-friendly Diwali, promoting alternatives like clay lamps and cloth decorations. For more information, citizens can visit the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation's website.
The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation calls upon all businesses selling fireworks and citizens using fireworks in its area that, as per the Government of India notification No. G.S.R. 682 (E) dated 05/10/1999, the production, sale, or use of fireworks producing noise exceeding 125 dB (AI) is illegal.
According to the directives of the Honourable Supreme Court, the use of fireworks containing elements such as barium salts, lithium, arsenic, lead, and mercury is prohibited. These elements produce toxic gases that are harmful to both animals and plants. Furthermore, it has been observed that the air quality index (AQI), which typically averages around 91, has risen to an average of 212 during the Diwali festival due to air pollution caused by toxic elements emitted from fireworks. The increasing air pollution forces citizens to confront respiratory issues.
As per the directives given by the Honourable High Court in Public Interest Litigation No. 152/2015, firework sellers are required to comply with the Explosive Act of 1884 and the regulations made under the Explosive Rules of 2008. Therefore, firework sellers must not sell banned fireworks, and they can only sell permitted fireworks at locations designated by the municipal corporation after obtaining the necessary permissions.
According to the hearing order dated 03/11/2023 by the National Green Tribunal, New Delhi, as well as the order from the Honourable High Court of Mumbai in the public interest litigation No. 3/2023, citizens are permitted to burst fireworks only from 7 PM to 10 PM.
Under Clause 7 (k) of the aforementioned order, all educational institutions must take necessary measures to ensure strict implementation of these regulations and to educate students about the environmental harm caused by fireworks. The police administration must diligently enforce these regulations, and under Clause 8 of the same order, the relevant departmental assistant commissioner of the municipal corporation must verify and ensure compliance.
Similarly, in connection with the public interest litigation filed by the Honourable High Court, measures to be taken, enforcement, and punitive provisions have been published on the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation's website at www.nmmc.gov.in. Citizens and relevant parties are urged to take this seriously.
Under the Maharashtra government's 'My Environment Campaign 5.0', 'Clean Survey 2024', and 'Clean Air Survey' campaigns, there is an emphasis on celebrating a firecracker-free, plastic-free, garbage-free, pollution-free, and environmentally friendly (Green Festival) festival. Accordingly, citizens are encouraged to light clay lamps/candles, avoid using plastic and instead use paper or cloth sky lanterns, refrain from using fireworks, use cloth or paper bags instead of plastic, avoid electrical decorations on trees, use disposable and reusable items during festivals, and celebrate an environmentally friendly, pollution-free Diwali.
In conclusion, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Commissioner and Administrator, Dr. Kailas Shinde, has extended heartfelt wishes for a happy and safe Diwali festival while urging everyone to celebrate this festival in a green and environmentally friendly manner.
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