Administration launches 'Say no to crackers' drive

PATNA: Patna district administration on Friday launched “Say no to crackers” campaign taking into account harmful effects of noise and air pollution caused by bursting of crackers during Diwali.
Patna district magistrate Sanjay Kumar Agarwal said the aim behind the campaign was to encourage people, especially children, to celebrate Diwali in a greener way. The campaign will continue till October 30.
“Children play a very important role in a family. Hence, we have decided to organise debate, speech and painting competitions in schools on ‘Say no to crackers’. The children will be encouraged to involve their parents in the campaign,” Agarwal said.
He appealed to people not to waste money on crackers, and instead buy sweets for poor families and books for underprivileged children. “I think this would be the best Diwali gift which we can give to someone. Diwali is the festival of lights, so we should try to illuminate those houses where people cannot afford to buy diya,” the DM said.
As a part of the campaign, various hoardings and banners informing people about harmful effects of noise and air pollution would be put up across the state capital. Street plays would also be organised at public places to discourage people from bursting crackers.
There was an increase in air and noise pollution in the state capital after Diwali last year. According to data released by Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB), the average noise level in Patna on Diwali was 82.15 decibel (dB), much beyond the permissible limit of 50 to 55 dB in residential areas and 60 to 65 dB in commercial areas. There was also an increase in respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) which recorded 591 microgram per cubic metre of air on Diwali last year.