“SAY NO TO FIRECRACKERS” Appeals HP State Pollution Control Board

Considering the adverse impact of pollution by use of firecrackers, Hon’ble National Green Tribunal (NGT) has decided that The cities/towns where air quality is ‘moderate’ or below, only green crackers be sold and the timings for use and bursting of crackers be restricted to two hours during festivals, like Diwali, Chatt, New Year/Christmas Eve, etc., as may be specified by the concerned State. This direction is on the pattern of the direction of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in (2019) 13 SCC 523, which we are applying to areas moderately polluted or below air quality due to aggravated effect during Covid-19.

If nothing is specified by the State, timing will be 8 to 10 pm on Diwali and Gurupurb, 6 am to 8 am on Chatt and 11.55 pm to 12.30 am during Christmas and New year eve (which have yet to come and do not fall in November but if the ban continues) and not otherwise”.

In compliance with the above directions and highlighting the remedial action against pollution by the use of firecrackers aggravating the menace of Coivid-19 pandemic and posing a higher danger to the lives and health of vulnerable groups, the State Government of Himachal Pradesh vide its Notification No-STE-E(3)-14/2020 dated 30^th October 2021 has issued directions to all concerned Administrative authorities (DMs and SPs) and concerned stakeholder departments that only green crackers would be allowed for a very short duration on the following days and time specified in the table below:

In view of above directions, HP State Pollution Control Board appeals to the general public and concerned stakeholders of the State of Himachal Pradesh to comply with the above directions in letter and spirit and “SAY NO TO FIRECRACKERS” this Diwali.

हिंदी लेखन प्रतियोगिता