In a proposal to resolve the crisis of air pollution, the Indian Government on 5th of October launched green firecrackers.
India’s Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan announced in a Press Conference in New Delhi that Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) labs have been successful in developing various environment-friendly fireworks such as sound emitting crackers, flowerpots, pencils, chakkar and sparklers.
The minister pointed out that these fireworks, based on new formulations developed by CSIR, have been manufactured and are available in the Indian Market for consumers and sellers.
Dr. Vardhan also informed that due to the ban that had been imposed as per the orders of Supreme Court of India, there was a threat of imminent closure of the entire fireworks Industry.
However, Science has once again come to the rescue of the common man and millions of jobs have been saved due to the interventions made by our scientists.
Dr Vardhan said, “I am very happy that on one hand we would be using eco-friendly crackers this Deepawali, and, on the other hand our traditional festival celebrations with lights and fire crackers shall remain intact. Millions of homes which are dependent on sale and manufacture of fireworks will also rejoice this festival, thanks to our scientists!”
Dr. Vardhan also highlighted that the emissions testing facilities for the new fire crackers have been set up at CSIR-NEERI as well as their approved National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration (NABL) facilities whose list is available at CSIR NEERI website.
Further, a Raw Materials Compositional Analysis (RACE) facility has been launched in Sivakasi to facilitate manufacturers for testing their raw materials and chemicals.
About 530 emissions testing certificates have been issued to fireworks manufactures for new and improved formulations meeting the stipulated guidelines of green crackers.
The Minister also lauded the efforts made by CSIR in developing these green crackers and informed that nearly 165 fireworks manufactures have been roped in and around 65 more manufacturers are in the process of coming on board.
Dr Vardhan further informed that a helpline has been created for any queries related to emission certificates, QR Codes and formulations. The helpline is available at: +918617770964 and +919049598046, or, email at: director@neeri.res.in.
