CivilsIASPrep.comThe sound and the fiery: on green crackers, pollution control
What does this development mean for UPSC preparation?
Supreme Court's latest order permits specified next-generation joined green crackers in Delhi-NCR, declining a total ban.
UPSC CSE Context
Why in News
Supreme Court's latest order permits specified next-generation joined green crackers in Delhi-NCR, declining a total ban.
Syllabus Connection
Environment pollution, judicial interventions, governance challenges in pollution control.
Exam Relevance
Useful for questions on environmental regulation, judicial activism, and policy implementation gaps.
Core Issue
Green crackers fail to curb pollution due to weak enforcement and real-world emissions.
Key Development
SC allowed next-generation joined green crackers, but post-Diwali PM2.5 hit 488 µg/m³, highest since 2021.
Stakeholders
- Supreme Court of India
- CSIR-NEERI
- Commission for Air Quality Management
- Delhi Police
- Firecracker manufacturers
- Residents of Delhi-NCR
Static Knowledge
High-Value Background
- Green crackers are designed to reduce particulate emissions by 45-60% compared to conventional crackers.
- Arjun Gopal vs Union of India (2018) mandated reduced-emission crackers and time restrictions.
Exam Linkage
- Relevant for questions on judicial interventions in environmental governance.
Concepts in Context
- PM2.5 and PM10 are key pollutants from firecrackers, affecting respiratory health.
- QR code certification aims to ensure authenticity of green crackers.
Dynamic Analysis
Governance
- Enforcement failure: QR codes sold to unregistered manufacturers undermine certification.
- Police inability to distinguish green crackers from conventional ones weakens compliance.
- Absence of testing facility in Delhi hampers regulatory oversight.
- Informal sector dominance in firecracker manufacturing complicates regulation.
Environment
- Real-world emissions exceed laboratory claims due to increased bursting of 'cleaner' crackers.
- Noise pollution remains unaddressed despite focus on particulate matter.
- Crackers cause acute spikes in already severe winter pollution.
Society
- Public sentiment and cultural attachment to firecrackers influence judicial decisions.
- Health impacts disproportionately affect vulnerable groups like children and elderly.
- Awareness about pollution toll remains low among firecracker enthusiasts.
Legal
- Judicial balancing between public health and livelihoods/licence holders.
- Incremental restrictions reflect reluctance to impose total ban.
- Court's reliance on technological solutions (green crackers) without robust enforcement.
Mains Value Addition
Arguments
- Technological fixes like green crackers are insufficient without strong enforcement mechanisms.
- Judicial interventions must be complemented by administrative capacity building.
- Balancing cultural practices with environmental protection requires stakeholder engagement.
Examples
- Post-Diwali 2025 PM2.5 average of 488 µg/m³ despite green cracker use.
Data Points
- PM2.5 peaked at 675 µg/m³ hourly after Diwali 2025.
Counterpoints
- Total ban may be impractical due to public sentiment and livelihoods.
- Green crackers still reduce emissions compared to conventional ones under controlled conditions.
Way Forward
- Strengthen QR code authentication and track sales to prevent misuse.
- Establish testing facilities in Delhi for real-time verification of cracker emissions.
- Formalize firecracker manufacturing sector to ensure compliance.
- Launch public awareness campaigns on health impacts of firecrackers.
- Enhance police training and technology for distinguishing cracker types.