Diwali is a festival of lights. In North India, Diwali has become synonymous with high Air pollution because of bursting of fire crackers and other meteorological factors. This is the time that the Air Quality starts deteriorating in the Northern part of India with the advent of the winter season. Diwali and fire crackers go back a long way. Crackers have always been burst in large numbers by people on this occasion to express their joy and celebration. However, past few years, in view of the increasing pollution in NCR region, the supreme court has placed restriction on bursting of crackers including a complete ban in 2022. The Delhi Government in fact, criminalized bursting of crackers with a 6-month jail and a fine. Although there has been increasing awareness on environmental impacts due to bursting of crackers and may families foregoing this mode of celebration, still crackers were burst in large numbers through out the Diwali night in Delhi and other places. The following data attempts to provide a brief glimpse into the impact of bursting of crackers as measured by Portable air quality monitors installed by Environics Trust. The monitors have been installed in Korba, Ranchi and Delhi. Read Report
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