In a significant development for Diwali 2025, the Supreme Court of India has permitted the sale and use of green firecrackers in New Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). This decision aims to balance the celebration of traditional festivities with the urgent need to address the region’s severe air pollution. Does it truly address Delhi’s pressing air pollution concerns in reality? Find out in this article.
- What Are Green Firecrackers?
- Supreme Court’s Ruling and Conditions
- Are Green Firecrackers Truly Safe?
- Comparative Analysis: Green vs. Traditional Firecrackers
- Delhi’s Approach: Regulations for Green Firecrackers
- The Reality: Air Quality and Breathing Concerns
- The Hidden Cost of Celebration: How Firecrackers Harm Life and Soul
What Are Green Firecrackers?
Green firecrackers are fireworks designed to be more environmentally friendly compared to traditional ones. They are engineered to emit fewer pollutants while maintaining similar sound and visual effects.
Key features of green firecrackers include:
- Reduced Emissions: Green firecrackers emit approximately 30-40% less particulate matter (PM2.5) compared to conventional firecrackers.
- Lower Noise Levels: They produce noise levels between 110–125 decibels, reducing noise pollution.
- Eco-Friendly Materials: They utilise alternative chemicals that reduce toxic emissions.
- Cleaner Propellants: Cleaner propellants are used so that they burn more completely and reduce smoke.
Supreme Court’s Ruling and Conditions
The Supreme Court’s decision allows the sale and use of green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR from 18th to 21st October 2025, albeit under strict conditions:
- Designated Sale Points: Firecrackers can only be sold at authorised locations.
- Time Restrictions: Firecrackers can be burst only between 6-7 AM and 8-10 PM.
- Certified Products: Only approved green firecrackers with QR codes will be permitted.
- Monitoring and Enforcement: The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and state pollution control boards will monitor air quality and police will conduct checks to ensure compliance.
Are Green Firecrackers Truly Safe?
While green firecrackers are considered less harmful than traditional ones, they are not entirely safe for the following reasons:
- Residual Emissions: They still release pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.
- Health Risks: Exposure to even reduced levels of particulate matter can aggravate respiratory conditions such as asthma and bronchitis.
- Cumulative Impact: Millions of green firecrackers can still significantly degrade air quality.
Experts emphasise that green firecrackers are a step toward reducing pollution, but they are ‘less harmful, not safe’.
Comparative Analysis: Green vs. Traditional Firecrackers
| Aspect | Traditional Firecrackers | Green Firecrackers |
| PM2.5 Emission | High | Reduced by 30 to 40% |
| Noise Levels | Over 160 dB | 110-125 dB |
| Chemical Composition | Harmful chemicals | Reduced harmful chemicals |
| Environmental Impact | Significant | Lower, but still present |
| Health Risks | High | Reduced, but still a concern |
Delhi’s Approach: Regulations for Green Firecrackers
Delhi authorities have urged residents to celebrate Diwali using only certified green firecrackers, aligning with Supreme Court guidelines aimed at controlling pollution. Authorities emphasised the goal of a ‘cleaner and greener’ capital and the importance of compliance to protect public health.
Also Read: दीपावली: जीवन में उजाले और आध्यात्मिकता का अद्वितीय संगम
The Reality: Air Quality and Breathing Concerns
Even with green firecrackers, Delhi’s air quality can deteriorate significantly during Diwali:
- PM2.5 Levels: Delhi often experiences PM2.5 levels 5-10 times higher than WHO safety limits during Diwali each year.
- Health Risks: Short-term exposure to high pollution levels can trigger wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath. Additionally, they exacerbate conditions like asthma and chronic bronchitis.
- While green firecrackers reduce emissions compared to traditional ones, they do not make the air safe to breathe, particularly for sensitive groups.
The Hidden Cost of Celebration: How Firecrackers Harm Life and Soul
The Supreme Court’s approval of green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR may look like a step forward in balancing tradition with environmental concerns, but it is not a complete solution. Green firecrackers, while reducing pollution, are not entirely safe and still contribute to air quality deterioration and respiratory health risks. True sustainability does not require a shift towards green firecrackers, instead, it calls for a deeper spiritual introspection for us to understand how gravely we have been misled into adopting practices against our holy scriptures.
Did you know that the poisonous smoke from firecrackers kills countless microscopic life forms? Jagatguru Tatvdarshi Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj reveals bursting firecrackers not only generates negative karma by harming living beings but can also lead one toward a path of spiritual downfall. Why does humanity continue to follow rituals that may bring such consequences? To uncover these hidden spiritual truths and learn how our actions often contradict the guidance of sacred scriptures, listen to the enlightening discourse of Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj on:
- Website: www.jagatgururampalji.org
- YouTube: Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj
- Facebook: Spiritual Leader Saint Rampal Ji
- X (Twitter): @SaintRampalJiM
