The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday imposed a blanket ban on the sale or use of all kinds of firecrackers between November 10 and 30 in all cities and towns including Delhi and adjoining areas where the average ambient air quality in November last year was “poor” or worse”.
Only green crackers – considered to be less polluting – will be sold in cities and towns where air quality is “moderate”, the tribunal ordered also restricting the timing of use to two hours, as specified by the state, “due to Covid”.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
“If nothing is specified, timing will be 8-10 pm on Diwali and Gurupurb, 6 am-8 am on Chhatt and 11.55 pm-12.30 am during Christmas and New Year’s eve,” the NGT order further mentioned.
For “other areas” with better air quality, NGT has made the cracker ban optional, but directed states to “initiate special drives to contain air pollution from all sources in view of COVID-19”.