Nagpur: More than a year after its launch, there seems to be no clarity on green crackers, reveals a joint survey done by environmental organization Green Vigil Foundation and TOI.
Following the Supreme Court’s ban on manufacture of polluting firecrackers, allowing bursting of only green crackers, city’s National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (Neeri) was entrusted with the task of formulating the composition of less polluting crackers. The scientists reportedly had substituted the conventional chemicals by Neeri’s proprietary materials.
While the number of manufacturing companies producing green crackers has increased this year, there is no reliable information regarding how green the so-called low-polluting alternatives are.
Green crackers come with a Neeri logo and a unique QR code that is supposed to indicate the chemical composition of crackers. During the survey, the NGO members tried scanning the code of different types of crackers from various brands. Out of codes printed on 15 crackers, not a single threw up relevant information.
Codes of most of the crackers were found to be non-functional, with only a random three-digit number getting displayed after scanning. In few crackers, name and address of the manufacturer popped up after scanning the code. It was also found that the chemicals used in crackers having a green logo were the same used in the normal ones.
Many shopkeepers were not aware of green crackers too. “We have never heard of anything like this, nor are the customers demanding green crackers,” said a firecracker seller in located in Central Avenue Road.
While few were familiar with the concept, they refused to accept that crackers can be environment-friendly. “Green or not, all crackers are the same. There is no difference between them,” they said.
Veeru Balani of Gandhibagh-based Virat Fireworks said that this year more companies manufactured green crackers. “But there seems to be no demand from the public for it,” he added.
After surveying the local markets, the activists felt that most of the green crackers were not authentic. “How does one prove that these crackers are less polluting? Most of the codes seem to be fake,” said Kaustav Chatterjee, founder of the NGO.
The guidelines and standards to define green crackers were formulated by Neeri along with Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organization (PESO), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Union environment ministry. The crackers are supposed to reduce the toxic emissions by 30%.
Stating that wrong message is being spread among citizens, team lead of Green Vigil Surbhi Jaiswal said, “People who would refrain from bursting crackers will start doing it, thinking the crackers are less polluting. It is possible that companies are misusing the green logo. People are getting fooled.”
Activists stated that Neeri should take immediate action and the relevant authorities should regulate the crackers. TOI tried contacting concerned officials but did not get response till the time of filing this story.
BOMBED CLAIMS
No clarity on green crackers
QR codes on most of the crackers seem to be fake
No relevant information regarding chemical composition is available
Sellers say no difference between green and usual crackers
Activists allege citizens are getting fooled, no such thing as environment-friendly crackers