Mumbai: Firecracker sale down 20 per cent

Ankit Gupta, a firecracker seller, at his shop in Borivli. Pics/Prasun Choudhari

As Mumbai grapples with persistently poor air quality, the city faces an impending challenge as Diwali approaches. A notable shift in consumer behaviour, however, has been seen with a 20 per cent decline in the sale of firecrackers compared to 2022, which highlights a growing awareness among the population regarding the adverse effects of crackers on air quality.

However, the reduction falls short of what is necessary to sustain the current Air Quality Index (AQI) and is expected to contribute to a further decline in air quality during the festival. Despite the decrease in sales, the absence of a significant trend toward eco-friendly or green crackers is not noticeable in firecracker retail outlets across Mumbai. The introduction of such alternatives could mitigate pollution.

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Wholesalers, vendors' views

Husain Khasdar, a Masjid Bunder-based firecracker wholesaler, said, "I have been selling firecrackers for the past 20 years. This year, there was a noticeable decline of 20 per cent in sales as of today [November 7]. A lot of stock is still unsold and is been kept in the godown. Many people have taken environmental concerns seriously, causing this decline." Asked about green crackers, he said, "National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) has come up with green crackers but they are hardly seen at wholesale stores let alone retail stores and hardly anyone even asks for them."

Husain Khasdar, Masjid Bunder-based firecracker wholesaler

Sources from Essabhai Fireworks, one of the biggest cracker vendors in Mumbai, said, "We buy crackers from manufacturers directly. Whatever is produced by them is sold out. According to what I see daily here at the store, people very rarely ask for eco-friendly crackers but certainly, the sale of firecrackers has dropped this year. People usually wait in queue for over an hour just to buy crackers before Diwali but the number this year is quite low compared to last year." Ankit Gupta, a Borivli-based firecracker seller, said, "I have been selling crackers for the past eight years, but sales are low this year," Asked about eco-friendly or green crackers, he said, "Customers do not ask about them."

Common man speaks

Saylee Hatim, a Kandivli resident, said, "As I read about Delhi's massive pollution issue, it is concerning to think that we may be in that same spot in a few years if we do not take proper measures. No rule prohibits bursting crackers completely since every religious tradition and festival has its way of celebrating. All we must do is be concerned enough to figure out at what point we should control it."

Ritesh Khedekar, another Kandivli local said that considering the effects of crackers on the environment, he had decided not to burst them this year. "I know it is not going to make much of a difference but if everyone thinks the same way, we can surely make a difference. Crackers also cause noise pollution and adversely affect zones near hospitals."

Aditya, Juhu resident (right) Dhruv Mestry, Juhu resident

Shreyas Shinde, a Borivli resident, said, "The main reason I don't burst crackers is because of environmental as well as the safety hazards they pose. Air pollution from fireworks can significantly worsen air quality, affecting people with respiratory issues. Additionally, the loud noises can disturb animals, children and those sensitive to loud sounds. Many advocate celebrating Diwali in a more eco-friendly and safer way to protect the environment and the well-being of all."

Sachin Dubey, a Santacruz resident, citing the same reasons, said he would only light diyas during the festive season. Aditya, a Juhu resident, said, "I am against bursting firecrackers as they scare stray animals and birds. The noise caused by crackers can even lead to hearing damage." Harshit Tiwari, a Dombivli resident, appealed to citizens not to burst crackers, saying, "This Diwali, I won't be bursting crackers., Pollution has reached such levels that recently the court had to pass an order banning the bursting of crackers any time other than between 7 pm and 10 pm."

Dhruv Mestry, another Juhu resident who will not burst crackers this Diwali, said, "Air pollution is increasing and in such a situation, I don't find it feasible to burst crackers." Aminur Sheikh said, "People don't understand the consequences of bursting crackers. It causes many health issues and boosts pollution levels. Strays as well as pets are scared by their loud sounds. Sometimes the crackers are faulty, which can cause major injuries to the person bursting them."

Activists' opinions

Climate activists have highlighted the urgency for proactive measures to address the ongoing air quality issues. "Cracker smoke makes the dust in the air toxic and lethal. It adds chemicals to the dust and causes severe respiratory infections.

Children and the elderly are most vulnerable. In congested localities which are poorly ventilated, smoke hovers through the day and people are forced to inhale the gaseous mixture. Hence it is important that on Diwali days construction activities are banned to allow a reduction in the pollution load. Also, people need to stop using smoke-generating crackers and celebrate Diwali as a festival of lights. Air pollution is a killer and it's time people realised that and behaved accordingly," said Stalin Dayanand, founder of Vanashakti Zidaan Castellino, one of the youngest climate activists in India, ambassador of the Green Schools campaign and Founder of the Green Nagar Project, said, "Pollution in Mumbai has gone from bad to worse. Headaches are more common along with cough, etc. Crackers ‘crack-up' the biodiversity of the city and are dangerous to people's health. After Diwali one can visibly see many birds lying dead on the street. People don't seem to realise that jeopardising their health for the sake of bursting a few crackers is not worth it. We can't keep on cutting the branch we sit on by bursting more and more crackers every Diwali."

"We should by all means be able to breathe and enjoy our city; a pollution-free one. I've recommended all societies in my area to make eco-friendly crackers a compulsion. There should be at least 10 trees planted for one cracker to equate emissions with trees," he added.