NGT seeks views on imposing temporary Ban on bursting Firecrackers in Delhi-NCR

On Monday, the National Green Tribunal issued notice to the Environment Ministry, Delhi Govt, pollution control agencies, & neighbouring states seeking their stand on whether the use of firecrackers should be temporarily banned from Nov 7 to Nov 30 in the interest of public health & environment.

A bench of the Green Tribunal, headed by its chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel issued notice to the Environment Ministry, Delhi Govt, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi Pollution Control Committee, Delhi Govt, Delhi Police, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, & Rajasthan, asking them to file their replies & listed the matter for Nov 5.

The NGT noted that there are expert views on the clear nexus of air pollution with COVID-19 & with increased air pollution, the virus can cause more damage. It also requested senior advocate Raj Panjwani & lawyer Shibhani Ghosh to assist the tribunal as amicus in the matter.

The NGT was hearing a plea, filed by the Indian Social Responsibility Network through Santosh Gupta, raising the issue of air pollution by the use of firecrackers in NCR at a time when air quality is at a 'very poor' level & the potential of worsening the COVID-19 pandemic.

The application referred to the statement of the Union Health Minister & the Health Minister of Delhi that during the festive season there will be a rise of COVID-19 cases due to air pollution.

The plea said that "Increased pollution may further affect vulnerable groups & increase the fatality rate. Covid cases in Delhi may go up to 15,000 per day, as against the current cases of about 5,000 per day. The use of green crackers will not remedy the situation. The smoke will choke & may create a gas chamber like situation. It will lead to poor visibility, hazy conditions, & asphyxia".

The NGT noted that the COVID-19 situation may cause various adverse effects assuming that it may increase the number of deaths of children, senior citizens, & other vulnerable persons.

The Tribunal in its order said that "Number of diseases may also increase. There are reports in the public domain that air quality of Delhi is deteriorating & further deterioration may give rise to an increase in Covid cases".

"It is well known that the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has been introduced envisaging the prohibiting of polluting activities if the air quality deteriorates. The Air Quality Index (AQI) is reported to be averaging between 410 & 450 i.e. 'hazardous' category," NGT added.

The NGT observed that firecrackers emit poisonous gases like SO2, NOX, CO & added that in the given climatic conditions, this may result in respiratory/pulmonary diseases, diabetes, hypertension, & other diseases.

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