Scientists have been asked to develop zero-pollution firecrackers that do not cause health hazards to children, Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan said on October 15.
The comments come close on the heels of the Supreme Court banning the sale of firecrackers in Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) till October 31.
Flagging off the ‘Run for Clean Air’ campaign here as a part of the ‘Clean Air Campaign’, Dr. Vardhan said that pollution causes maximum problems to children.
The event was attended by around 10,000 students from various schools in Delhi-NCR.
“Dr. Harsh Vardhan told the gathering of students that the scientists have been asked to develop zero-pollution firecrackers that do not cause health hazards to children,” the Union Environment Ministry said in a statement.
The Environment Minister also administered a pledge to the students to promote clean air: “Let us together pledge for a New India... Let us together pledge towards a Clean India... Let us together pledge towards a casteism-free India.”
Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for Environment Mahesh Sharma said ‘swacchata’ (cleanliness) has to be a collective endeavour. “The legacy that we leave behind in terms of clean air is very important,” he said.
Singer Durga Jasraj sang a couple of compositions, including a song on the importance of clean air.
The ‘Clean Air Campaign’ was launched to create awareness on air pollution.