The Diwali this time was a washout Thursday, and it turned out to be a wet Diwali. A depression over Orissa caused non-stop rain, sadly also drowning the festival spirit. Environmentalists say Mother Nature intervened this time to limit the atmospheric pollution caused by the unending burst of crackers that marked the day every year. Orissa POST spoke to environmentalists, State Pollution Control Board scientists and engineers and the general public to know how they looked at the steadily worsening scenario. A report by Chaitali Shome
Environmentalist Arundhati Tej:”As an environmentalist, I have personally felt in the past few years that, on occasions like this, people indulge in celebrations with no serious regard to the harm their actions cause to the environment. When they burst loads and loads of crackers, this not only causes unbearable levels of sound pollution, but also many health hazards to human beings and to hapless animals. They bear the brunt of such atmospheric disturbances. You see, when the carbon monoxide emitting from crackers gets mixed with oxygen in the air, it becomes carbon dioxide. Thus, the danger of pollution rises up to the next level, where even normal breathing becomes a problem to many. So, yes, in a way I can say Mother Nature has balanced her own equilibrium. In scientific terms, this may be unacceptable.”
Engineer Nihar Ranjan Sahoo (State Pollution Control Board): “Crackers are made of very many chemicals. So much of chemicals get into the atmosphere and the air we breathe. Bursting of crackers may give a kick to some, but they are playing with the health of the people in the area and beyond. The way to go forward to celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights, is to switch on electric bulbs, and by organising events like rangoli. Keep crackers and fireworks display out. The maximum accepted sound level is 120decibel. A task force formed by the government is at work to limit noise pollution. However, as for talk about Mother Nature stepping in this time to curb air pollution, this is just a happy co-incidence. We have to do something on our own to check the urge to use crackers for such occasions.”
Dr. N. Bhol, scientist (State Pollution Control Board): “There is nothing like Nature fighting back pollution on its own. It’s our job to do this. Well, this time, it was just a co-incidence; due to low pressure, it started raining. I do agree that the pollution levels are causing serious health hazards. We need to educate people to stop bursting a lot of crackers. The extent of air pollution caused by the bursting of crackers this Diwali is being analysed.”
WHAT RESIDENTS SAY
Vijay: “As a resident of Nayapalli, all I can say is that the presence of dangerous sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide keeps increasing during Diwali everyyear. The health problems that arise as a result are well-documented. There is a perceptible increase in the levels of asthma and bronchitis after every Diwali. So, as a health-conscious individual, I personally felt that this year Mother Nature has balanced her own equilibrium and finally it’s a warning to everyone that we have reached the limit in creating environment pollution.”
:”I am a resident of Sahidnagar and I do feel bad that the Diwali got washed away this time. This is the result when human beings forget their own limitations. Mother Nature acts, and exercises Her own power to curb such indulgences.”
Pankaj: “I was very disappointed. The rain washed away the Diwali spirit, and I couldn’t light up the crackers I bought. However, I am happy the season’s pollution level went down and people could sleep early, unlike in the past when cracker sounds continued till midnight. This is divine intervention. Nevertheless, it’s time to realise our own follies rather than blaming the government and its agencies for not doing enough to check pollution.”
Rajashree: “I am very disappointed that I couldn’t light up crackers this time. Yes, but think about the poor animals, they could sleep well this time as nobody could light up crackers. I am a resident of Nuasahi in Rasulgarh, and I do believe that Mother Nature has won her battle against human-induced pollution. Let there be more of awareness in this respect and let us not burn crackers from next year. What a waste of time, money and hurt to our lovely environment!”
