Green Crackers: Balancing Environment, Culture, and Livelihoods

Why in the News?

1. The Supreme Court (SC) has indicated a partial relaxation of the firecracker ban in Delhi-NCR on a trial basis for 2025.
2. This decision aims to balance public health, festive traditions, and the livelihoods of workers in the firecracker industry, following a decade-long legal struggle over air pollution caused by firecrackers.

Historical and Legal Background

1. 2015: Petition by three infants seeking protection from toxic air in Delhi.
2. 2018 (SC Arjun Gopal Judgment): Ban on conventional firecrackers; only green crackers allowed with fixed time slots.
3. 2020 (NGT): Imposed an absolute ban during Diwali in Delhi-NCR and other highly polluted cities.
4. 2021–2023: Year-round bans issued by Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC).
5. 2024–2025: SC noted short-term bans may be ineffective, permitted certified green cracker production but restricted their sale until proper verification.

What Are Green Crackers?

1. Developed by CSIR-NEERI to reduce air pollution and noise during festivals.
2. Pollutant reduction: Release 30–40% fewer harmful particles than conventional firecrackers.
3. Non-toxic chemicals: Avoid barium nitrate, arsenic, and lead, using alternative formulations.
4. Key variants (2018):
   1. SWAS (Safe Water Releaser)
   2. STAR (Safe Thermite Cracker)
   3. SAFAL (Safe Minimal Aluminium)
5. Features: Lower noise levels (≤120 dB), smaller shells, dust-suppressant additives, traceable via QR code and green logo.
6. Green crackers are less harmful but not pollution-free. Studies indicate they still emit ultra-fine particles, which can be more dangerous than PM2.5 and PM10.

Supreme Court Directions

1. Only certified green crackers may be produced and sold by approved manufacturers.
2. The sale and use of green crackers is limited to designated points and strictly controlled dates and timings around Diwali.
3. Toxic chemicals remain strictly prohibited, and series crackers (‘laris’) cannot be manufactured or sold.
4. Online sales of firecrackers are banned, and violators will face penalties including license cancellation.
5. Police and pollution control officials will monitor sale points, verify authenticity, and collect samples for testing.
6. The relaxation is trial-based, with air quality monitoring from October 14–25, 2025 to evaluate environmental impact.

Constitutional and Legal Relevance

1. Article 21: Right to clean air and a healthy environment.
2. Article 19(1)(g): Right to carry on a profession or occupation, protecting firecracker workers’ livelihoods.
3. Article 51A(f): Duty of citizens to protect the environment and cultural heritage.
4. Upholds environmental protection, economic rights, and cultural freedoms in a balanced manner.

Challenges and Way Forward

Conclusion

The Supreme Court’s approach demonstrates judicial pragmatism, providing a regulated middle path that balances environmental protection, cultural rights, and livelihood concerns. It tests scientific innovations such as green crackers to reduce pollution, while upholding constitutional safeguards and guiding policy decisions. The approach also encourages coordinated governance, public awareness, and evidence-based regulation. The success of this trial relaxation will determine the future regulatory framework and the ability to protect air quality while respecting cultural traditions and economic rights.