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<ul><li><keyword id="6981350" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="green-firecrackers">Green firecrackers</keyword> are in short supply across shops in <keyword id="90232" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="North-India">North India</keyword>. </li><li>Despite the government announcing that there are eight options, only two varieties are available in the market.</li><li>Green firecrackers are also more expensive than their traditional counterparts.</li></ul><br />Last year, green firecrackers were nowhere to be found because they weren’t being produced. This year, the Indian government is doling out licenses for the production of green firecrackers — but they still aren’t easy to find.<br /><br />It’s not just consumers that are left in a bind, but shopkeepers as well. <br /><br />Even if consumers are able to track down a shop selling green firecrackers, there are only two types on sale — <em>anaars </em>(fountain crackers) and <em>phuljhadis </em>(sparklers). And, they’re 30-50% costlier than the traditional alternatives.<br /><br />If consumers don’t have the patience, traditional firecrackers are still being sold in lesser known markets, that too in ample varieties.<br /><br />For shopkeepers, this creates a conundrum. They can either skirt the new law and sell traditional fireworks — for which there is still demand — or they can offer green firecrackers and have consumers walk away in a huff over the lack of variety or the cost.<br /><br /><strong>Why are there only two options?<br /></strong><br />The simple answer is that are, in fact, more than two options. Government-run labs around the country have actually come up with eight different alternatives that can be manufactured and sold legally.<br /><br />These crackers are dubbed ‘green’ because they produce less noise and produce less particulate matter. <br /><br />According to the Department of Science and Technology and CSIR, traditional crackers produced a noise level of 160 decibels, whereas the noise of <keyword id="6123753" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="green-crackers">green crackers</keyword> is limited to 125. They also produce 30% less PM 2.5.<br /><br /><strong>Squeeze on the supply of green crackers<br /></strong><br />The small town of Sivakasi is responsible for 95% of the country’s crackers. The city’s workers went on a six-month strike to protest against the Supreme Court’s ban on traditional crackers. <br /><br />During those months, a lot of workers migrated to other locations looking for work. So, when factories reopened in May whoever was left was briefed on manufacturing green crackers. By then, there was a 30-40% labour shortage.<br /><br />Even the overall amount of manufacturers is less than half of last year. <br /><br />In 2018, there were 1,600 units licensed to produce fireworks. Come 2019, only 350 manufacturers have gotten new licenses to make green crackers.<br /><br />The industry feels that its usual yearly earning of ₹1,800 crore is likely to dip into the red, this season. <br /><br />But the government doesn’t seem to be worried. "After the Supreme Court ban, there was a threat of closure of the fireworks industry. However, science has again come to the rescue and millions of jobs have been saved," said Union Health and Science &amp; Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan in a statement.<br /><br /><br /><br />

Diwali with green crackers in distress — production is down and prices are up

<strong><br /></strong><ul><li><strong><keyword id="3658" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword>’s apex court passed a verdict to restrict the use of firecrackers in lieu of the worsening <keyword id="53848" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="air-quality">air quality</keyword> in the country. </strong></li><li><strong>Along with time constraints on when firecrackers can be used, the Supreme Court is only allowing the sale of ‘<keyword id="6981349" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="green-fireworks">Green Fireworks</keyword>’.<br /></strong></li><li><strong>While consumers cite tradition and religion, companies are wary of how this decision will affect their bottom line.<br /></strong></li><li><strong>On the contrary, environmentalists feel that this barely enough to contain the excessive air pollution that occurs during the festive season of <keyword id="188" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="20" keywordseo="Diwali">Diwali</keyword>.</strong></li></ul>India’s national capital is no stranger to air pollution, especially when it’s festive season. Deepavali, the Hindu festival of lights, is particularly an issue because it involves using firecrackers which not only depreciate the air quality, but cause noise pollution as well. <br /><br />The <keyword id="75952" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Supreme-Court-of-India">Supreme Court of India</keyword>, the country’s highest constitutional court, has deemed that while firecrackers won’t be banned altogether, strict restrictions are going to be put in place so people’s right to health isn’t adversely affected. This includes restricting when firecrackers can be burst, the implementation of ‘Green Crackers’ and banning online sales to curb the ill effects. <br /><br /><strong>Timely firecrackers<br /></strong><br />One of the key takeaways from the Supreme Court’s judgement is that bursting of firecrackers will only be allowed between 8pm and 10pm on the day of Diwali. But, they haven’t put any reprimands in place if the decision isn’t followed. <br /><br />Traditionally, firecrackers aren’t only burst on Diwali but the day before and the day after as well. The day before, because it is<em> Chotti Diwali </em>(small Diwali) and the day after, because people want to use up the firecrackers that are leftover from the night before. <br /><br />While the time restriction is commendable, it’s unlikely to be enforced efficiently if there is no fear of consequences. <br /><br />
	<div type="twitter" handle="OruvanYavano" handlename="Yavano Oruvan" image="http://abs.twimg.com/sticky/default_profile_images/default_profile_normal.png" favoritecount="2" retweetcount="0" status="Diwali is our traditional festival we don't need your suggestion to blast crakers   #firecrackers #savediwali #saveourtradition" createdat="1540283144000" id="1054650065720008706"></div>



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	<div type="twitter" handle="idontfaqwithu" handlename="rOhaN     🍌" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1019607935360512000/NrEMBz1Y_normal.jpg" favoritecount="6" retweetcount="0" status="Fuck supreme court. I'll burst crackers morning and evening on the day of diwali. Stop targeting our 1000s of year… https://t.co/MykMj8R6nv" createdat="1540283204000" id="1054650314375127040"></div>



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	<div type="twitter" handle="rajat0807" handlename="Rajat Dariya" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/506866519372869632/Oz-ZCXJ6_normal.jpeg" favoritecount="2" retweetcount="1" status="It's not for #SupremeCourt to decide whether to ban #FireCrackers or not. We'll celebrate our festival the way we w… https://t.co/wdXjL5eti1" createdat="1540282277000" id="1054646429900259328"></div>



<br /><strong>Companies cry foul<br /></strong><br />Most companies that have been disagreeing with the verdict have cited adverse economic and financial losses. But the Supreme Court has reinforced its stance stating that the economic loss in the form of treating respiratory ailments and health hazards resulting from firecrackers is much greater. <br /><br />Consumers and e-commerce companies, alike, aren’t too happy about the fact that firecrackers can’t be sold online anymore. Even the traditional Cock Brand Crackers and Sri Kaliswari Fireworks are going to be subject to restricting their inventory. The Supreme Court has mandated that ‘Green Crackers’ or fireworks that adhere to lower emissions will be the only ones allowed in the market now. <br /><br />While this may be a step in the right direction, environmentalists feel that it’s not nearly enough. Vimlendu Jha says that there’s really no such thing as an ‘environmentally safe’ <keyword id="6356460" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="firecracker">firecracker</keyword>.<br /><br />
	<div type="twitter" handle="vimlendu" handlename="Vimlendu Jha" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/293375517/Vimlendu_MW_low_res_normal.jpg" favoritecount="15" retweetcount="7" status="What the hell does a 'good' firecracker even mean? Despite every scientific data available at the Courts disposal,… https://t.co/0Eamoh59Ve" createdat="1540292760000" id="1054690396452737024"></div>



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India has sights set on banning firecrackers, bringing in 'Green Fireworks' – here's why it probably won't work

<sup><em>(Photo Credit: Wikipedia)</em></sup><br /><ul><li><strong>Delhi police booked 562 people on <keyword id="188" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="20" keywordseo="Diwali">Diwali</keyword> night and arrested 310 for violating the Supreme Court’s order restricting the use of fireworks in the national capital.</strong></li><li><strong>Police seize 2,776 kgs of crackers from across the region, according to official reports. </strong></li><li><strong>Out of the total documented cases, 87 people and 72 cases were booked in relation to the sale of firecrackers. </strong></li></ul>Police in India’s national capital came down hard on violators of the recent Supreme Court order restricting the use of firecrackers, a huge contributor to Delhi’s toxic smog. <br /><br />On Diwali night – India’s ‘festival of lights’ – Delhi police reportedly <a href="https://www.news18.com/news/india/over-300-arrested-550-cases-registered-on-diwali-night-for-violating-sc-order-1933331.html">registered</a> over 500 cases and arrested over 300 people across the city for flouting Supreme Court’s restrictions on the use of fireworks. <br /><br />India’s apex court had recently allowed the use of <keyword id="6356460" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="firecracker">firecracker</keyword>s only within a two-hour window on Diwali night along with restricting firecracker sales to only ‘<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/the-rest-of-india-can-burst-normal-fireworks-but-its-national-capital-is-restricted-to-staying-green/articleshow/66463338.cms">green fireworks</a>’ in the Delhi- NCR region, in response to the rising smog levels in the city.<br /><br />Delhi police also reportedly confiscated over 2,776 kgs of firecrackers from across the national capital region, arresting 87 people in connection to illegal sale of firecrackers.<br /><br />In addition, 24 juveniles were also booked under the Juvenile Act for violating the directions. Overall, over 562 cases were registered under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code for disobeying the order. <br /><br /><strong>No Change<br /></strong><br />It also appeared that despite the restriction on firecrackers sale, the amount of firecrackers used this Diwali was the same as last year. <br /><br />Close to 5 million kgs of firecrackers were used this year, ET <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/50-lakh-kg-of-crackers-burnt-in-delhi-this-year-report/articleshow/66547547.cms?from=mdr">reported</a> by. That corresponds to over 1,50,000 kgs of PM2.5 particles, which are extremely toxic.<br /><br />On Thursday, Delhi’s <keyword id="2071721" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Air-Quality-Index">Air Quality Index</keyword> in Delhi further deteriorated to 642, and is expected to remain ‘severe’ in part due to smoke from fireworks.<br />

Diwali fireworks backfire: Over 300 people arrested for violating SC order

Arumugam Chinnaswamy set up his makeshift booth selling firecrackers in a Chennai neighbourhood a week ahead of <keyword id="188" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="20" keywordseo="Diwali">Diwali</keyword>, the Hindu festival of lights, with great expectations of doing a brisk trade.<br /><br />Yet a week later, he has been forced to pack up more than half his stock in the hope he’ll have better luck next year.<br /><br />“Four years ago, I sold firecrackers worth 800,000 rupees (US$11,288) on the eve of Diwali alone. This year, the sales have not even been a quarter of that,” said Chinnaswamy, 65, painting a grim picture that will be recognised by many in the Indian fireworks industry.<br /><a href="https://hp.teads.com/?utm_source=inread&amp;utm_medium=credits&amp;utm_campaign=invented%20by%20teads" target="_blank"></a><br />Chinnaswamy buys his firecrackers in Sivakasi, an industrial town in the southern Indian state of <keyword id="20154" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="tamil-nadu">Tamil Nadu</keyword> that produces more than 90 per cent of the country’s fireworks.<br /><br />Sivakasi’s dry climate has helped to make it the firework capital of <span class="text"><a href="https://www.scmp.com/topics/india" class="link-text">India</a> </span>and many production facilities in the town have been in the business for close to a century. For the most part, the industry has resisted mechanisation and still deals in handmade products. Its 1,100-plus manufacturing units provide jobs for 800,000 mostly uneducated workers and its diligent labour force have earned the town the nickname of ‘Little <keyword id="6355311" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="japan">Japan</keyword>’.<br /><br />But this reputation is under threat, struggling under the weight of an anti-pollution campaign, regulatory uncertainty and the arrival of cheap black-market Chinese imports. Irregular monsoons and a slowdown-induced cash crunch have not helped matters either.<br /><br />Industry figures estimate the Diwali sales of India’s 80 billion-rupee firecracker industry took a 30 per cent drop this year.<br /><strong><br /><span class="generic-article__body article-details-type--strong content--strong">A TOXIC PROBLEM</span></strong><br /><br />With pollution in Indian cities among the worst in the world, the government has come under pressure to do something about the nation’s toxic air – a problem that becomes more acute during Diwali due to the toxic fumes emitted when celebratory fireworks are set off. This Diwali, for instance, many areas in New Delhi recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 999, the highest possible reading (the recommended limit is 60).<br /><br />That makes the fireworks industry seem like an easy target when it comes to meeting government air quality targets.<br /><br />Trouble began brewing in October last year when the Supreme Court banned the manufacture of traditional fireworks containing barium nitrate, a chief polluter. That decision put a rocket under the industry, as barium nitrate is cheap and is used in about 75 per cent of all firecrackers in India.<br /><br />Factories in Sivakasi responded with a four-month shutdown protest that decimated annual production levels by up to a third.<br /><br />Apparently realising it had overstepped the mark – and that enforcing the Supreme Court regulations would be next to impossible – the government stepped in to rescue the industry, offering its assistance in the manufacture of environment-friendly crackers containing fewer pollutants, but it was too little, too late.<br /><br />“The Supreme Court verdict was simply Delhi-centric with the vague idea of [cracking down on] urban pollution. It lacked any on-the-ground knowledge of the fireworks industry,” said Tamil Selvan, president of the Indian Fireworks Association, which represents more than 200 medium and large manufacturers.<br /><br />“Fireworks are low-hanging fruit for the anti-pollution drive as the industry is unorganised. Could the government or judiciary place a similar blanket ban on more pollution-causing industries like automobiles, plastics or tobacco?” asked Selvan.<br /><br /><span class="generic-article__body article-details-type--strong content--strong"><strong>CHINESE COMPETITION</strong></span><br /><br />The industry has also been hit by a flood of cheap Chinese firecrackers that are smuggled into the country on the black market.<br /><br />In September, the country’s federal anti-smuggling agency, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, cautioned various government departments that huge quantities of Chinese-produced firecrackers had reached Indian soil in the lead up to Diwali.<br /><br />But industry sources complain they have seen little action from the government to combat the problem.<br /><br />Legally, Indian manufacturers can neither import nor export firecrackers. The Indian firecracker industry is the second-largest in the world after <keyword id="1334" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="China">China</keyword>’s.<br /><br />Raja Chandrashekar, chief of the Federation of Tamil Nadu Fireworks Traders, a lobbying body, said low-end Indian-manufactured firecrackers such as roll caps and dot caps – popular among children – had struggled to compete with Chinese-made pop pops and throw bombs.<br /><br />“Despite our repeated complaints to government bodies, Chinese firecrackers find a way into India, particularly in the northern parts. This is severely affecting our business,” said Chandrashekar.<br /><br />While more Chinese fireworks might be entering India, the effect has been to undermine the industry, resulting in fewer sales overall.<br /><br /><strong><span class="generic-article__body article-details-type--strong content--strong">FIZZLING OUT?</span><br /></strong><br />The Sivakasi fireworks industry faces other problems, too. Not least among these is the use of child labour, which had been rampant until a government crackdown a few years ago, and the practice of some factories to operate without proper licences and with questionable safety standards.<br /><br />But despite the darker aspects of the industry, its role goes beyond merely helping Diwali celebrations go with a bang every year.<br /><br />“The livelihoods of over five million people who are indirectly involved in the business, in areas such as trade and transport, depend on the survival of the industry,” said Chandrashekar.<br /><br />That survival looks increasingly in question. Dull sales of fireworks have been reported in major cities including New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Hyderabad, though exact numbers can be hard to come by due to the unregulated nature of the industry and unreliable numbers shared by manufacturers.<br /><br />So great has the resultant outcry been that some cynics even wonder whether the industry is struggling as much as it claims or whether it is part of a ploy by manufacturers to gain more government concessions and avoid any further crackdown.<br /><br />“These firecracker manufacturers lie through their teeth about the Diwali sales for self-serving motives such as tax avoidance. The overall business is healthy,” said Vijay Kumar, editor of the Sivakasi-based monthly magazine <em>Pyro India News</em>.<br /><br />“Though there was a 30-40 per cent shortage in annual production, all the manufactured products have been sold this year. No large stockpile is left with any manufacturer.”<br /><br />Still, regardless of the manufacturers’ motives, the result of the industry’s struggles has been that street sellers like Chinnaswamy have fewer fireworks to sell – and they are struggling even to sell those.<br /><br />Chinnaswamy says people are confused about the government’s anti-pollution drive and about what firecrackers are now legal and this has discouraged them from buying. Despite the government’s effort to promote “green crackers” he says these are too hard to come by to be a ready solution, at least for this year.<br /><br />“There was no clarity on what type of firecrackers, whether green crackers or otherwise, can be set off and at what time of the day. Many consumers even asked me whether or not the conventional firecrackers are totally banned while there was much misinformation floating about on social media,” said Chinnaswamy.<br /><br />Shaking his head, all he can do is hope that next year his Diwali goes with more of a bang.<br />

The explosive truth about the link between Chinese fireworks and India’s dim Diwali

<strong><br /></strong><ul><li><strong>The <keyword id="6354977" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Supreme-Court">Supreme Court</keyword> of <keyword id="3658" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword> has imposed a ban on bursting pollution causing fireworks during <keyword id="188" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="20" keywordseo="Diwali">Diwali</keyword> in the country’s national capital, New Delhi.<br /><br /></strong></li><li><strong>Meanline, the other cities and states in the country have no such restrictions and can go about bursting normal fireworks.<br /><br /></strong></li><li><strong>If people in New Delhi want to burst ‘normal’ fireworks during the festive season, they will have to travel between 140kms to 200kms out of the city.<br /></strong></li></ul>India’s top court has cracked down on fireworks ahead of Diwali, one of India’s biggest Hindu festivals. While the Supreme Court has the banned the manufacturing and sale of all ‘pollution causing’ fireworks in New Delhi in face of deteriorating air quality, other states and cities in Indian can still indulge in normal fireworks.<br /><br />That being said, the Supreme Court has issued an alternative where people in New Delhi and its surrounding areas can still burst <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-what-are-green-crackers-5415113/">‘green fireworks’</a>, but only between the hours of 8PM and 10PM.<br /><br />The court also mentioned that green firecrackers would eventually supersede the other kinds with the increase in their manufacturing from next year onwards. <br /><br />It’s not that other states aren’t considering more strict regulations on the bursting of fireworks during the festive season, but they are still allowed to call on their previous stock of fireworks, green or otherwise <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/supreme-court-only-green-crackers-to-be-used-in-delhi-ncr-5428096/">according to</a> Justice AK Sikri and Justice Ashok Bhushan.<br /><br />But the ban on the online sale of fireworks through e-commerce portals like Amazon and Flipkart applies across the nation. In order to ensure effective implementation, the Supreme Court has also threatened to drag online retailers to court if they don’t abide by the issued guidelines.<br /><br /><strong>The rest of India<br /></strong><br />The issue with the Supreme Court’s directive is that not everyone around India celebrates Diwali at the <a href="https://www.businesstoday.in/current/economy-politics/diwali-crackers-bursting-time-north-south-india-supreme-court/story/286530.html">same time</a>. While northern states celebrate Diwali at night, southern states prefer to celebrate it in the morning. Meanwhile most states in the east celebrate Diwali a before the actual ‘designated’ day of the festival.<br /><br />States like Tamil Nadu and Puducherry have <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sc-modifies-firecracker-order-tamil-nadu-puducherry-can-fix-timing-but-cannot-exceed-2-hours-5425063/">permitted</a> the use of fireworks between the hours of 4 AM to 5 AM in the morning and 9 PM to 10 PM during the night.<br /><br />Meanwhile, in the city of Mumbai, shopkeepers are <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/after-supreme-court-order-firecracker-retailers-stare-at-losses-this-diwali-stock-up-other-items-in-mumbai-5428097/">diversifying</a> the products they offer to include more ‘decorative fireworks’ and those approved by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO).<br /><br />The firework ban legally covers areas that are nearly <a href="https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/firecracker-ban-in-delhi-where-all-ban-is-applicable-to-purchase-crackers-legally-this-is-how-far-you-will-have-to-go-answer-will-break-your-heart/888749/">140 kms to 200 kms</a> from the eastern and the southern borders of Delhi spreading out over 21 districts of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.<br /><br />About <a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/many-people-now-want-curbs-on-firecrackers-in-their-cities-says-assocham/article9908815.ece">35%</a> of the citizens responded positively towards the ban of polluted firecrackers considering the<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/clean-air-week-india-to-deploy-emergency-measures-for-controlling-air-pollution/articleshow/66446663.cms"> worsening air pollution</a> situation. However, a lot of people still believe that the ban will not make much of a difference to the air quality. Majority of people are now gearing up for muted celebrations this Diwali, though the effectiveness is yet to be seen. <br /><br />Government initiatives have largely impacted the fireworks industry in India and it has seen a degradation of nearly 40% over the last five years.<br />

The rest of India can burst normal fireworks, but its national capital is restricted to staying ‘green’

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Hundreds of dead <keyword id="48643" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="60" keywordseo="birds">birds</keyword>, mostly starlings, littered the streets of Rome, <keyword id="21474" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Italy">Italy</keyword> following a <keyword id="495100" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="60" keywordseo="New-Years-eve">New Year's Eve</keyword> <keyword id="54214" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="60" keywordseo="Fireworks">fireworks</keyword> display. </li><li>The <keyword id="6356001" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="international">International</keyword> Organisation for the Protection of Animals (OIPA) said it was likely to be the result of fireworks from a nearby leafy, green neighborhood that many birds use to roost, according to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/animals-animal-rights-rome-fireworks-displays-birds-7fca8bce6df2018827ae57c585371be1">AP</a>.</li><li>The New Year's Eve display was in breach of a fireworks and firecrackers ban between 31 December 2020 until midnight on 6 January 2021 imposed by the city's mayor, Virginia Raggi.</li></ul><p>Hundreds of dead birds, mostly starlings, littered the streets of Rome, Italy, following a fireworks display on New Year's Eve. </p><p>Although the cause of the deaths is uncertain, the International Organisation for the Protection of Animals (OIPA) said it was likely to result from fireworks from a nearby leafy, green neighborhood that many birds use to roost, according to the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/animals-animal-rights-rome-fireworks-displays-birds-7fca8bce6df2018827ae57c585371be1">Associated Press</a>.</p><p>Loredana Diglio, a spokesperson from the organization, told AP: "It can be that they died from fear. They can fly up together and knock against each other or hit windows or electric power lines. Let's not forget they can also die of heart attacks."</p><p>OIPA also tweeted an <a href="https://twitter.com/OIPAInternation/status/1345064655308386304?s=20">image</a> of the starlings' carcasses scattered near the city's Roma Termini train station and called for a fireworks ban.</p><p>The New Year's Eve display was in breach of a fireworks and firecrackers ban between 31 December 2020 until midnight on 6 January 2021 imposed by the city's mayor, Virginia Raggi.</p><p>Although fireworks can be confiscated and a fine of up to €500, it was largely ignored, as was the 10pm COVID-19 curfew.</p><p>The UK-based charity, <a href="https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/how-you-can-help-birds/dangers-to-birds/fireworks-and-birds/">Royal Society for the Protection of Birds</a> (RSPB) says that there is "little evidence to suggest that fireworks harm wild birds or affect their conservation status."</p><p>However, OIPA adds that firework residue contains toxic chemicals and poisons harmful to animals when ingested on its website. </p>

Hundreds of dead birds litter the streets of Rome after New Year's Eve firework display

<p>Every year, the Chinese New Year is celebrated for more than two weeks in January or February, with many festivals and celebrations commemorating the occasion. On the first day of the New Year, the festival kicks off with the Firecracker Ceremony, during which locals light nearly 600,000 rounds of fireworks.</p><p>Last Thursday, we headed down to New York City's Chinatown to see the community's 16th annual Firecracker Ceremony.</p><h3>It is a tradition for Chinese people to light bamboo sticks filled with gunpowder on the first day of the year to create as large as commotion as possible. The practice is thought to ward off evil spirits. In more recent years, the tradition is carried on with firecrackers and fireworks. Thousands of firecrackers are strung up with red ribbon on the rope in the background.</h3><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div></p><h3>The community performs the elaborate Firecracker Ceremony because fireworks are illegal in New York City. There were plenty of police on hand to make sure everything went smoothly.</h3><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div></p><h3>The ceremony began with a speech by a community leader, who wished spectators "Gong Xi Fa Cai," or Happy New Year in Mandarin.</h3><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div></p><h3>There was a huge crowd for the ceremony despite the temperatures. It was a frigid 20 degrees Fahrenheit at the time of the ceremony.</h3><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div></p><h3>After the opening speech, the emcee introduced the Brooklyn United Drumline marching band. They provided an energetic performance to start off the festivities.</h3><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div></p><h3>Next came the traditional Chinese ribbon dance. Dancers perform by whirling long strips of silk attached to short sticks through the air.</h3><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div></p><h3>The woman on the right was keeping time for the dancers with her cymbals.</h3><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div></p><h3>The dance dates to China's Han Dynasty in 206 BCE. It is thought that the dance originates from a man who saved an emperor from assassination by blocking a sword with the silk on his sleeve.</h3><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div></p><h3>Next came the dragon dance. While not as elaborate or large as the dragons displayed during the Chinese New Year's parade, these two were very acrobatic.</h3><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div></p><h3>The two dragons dueled for a long time. It was an impressive dance.</h3><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div></p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div></p><h3>No Chinese holiday would be complete without food. Volunteers gave out copious amounts of Chinese food to those willing to wait in line.</h3><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div></p><h3>Many prominent community members were wearing red sashes. Red symbolizes good fortune and joy in Chinese culture. It is seen everywhere during New Year's celebrations.</h3><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div></p><h3>Many city politicians were in attendance to celebrate the New Year. On the left is a man dressed as Cai Shen, the Chinese god of wealth and prosperity.</h3><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div></p><h3>A group of schoolchildren took turns singing the American national anthem and the Chinese national anthem.</h3><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div></p><h3>A lion dance troupe performed a symbolic ritual next to celebrate the new year.</h3><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div></p><h3>During the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lion_dance#During_Chinese_New_Years_and_festivals">"cai qing," or plucking the greens,</a> ritual, the lions attempt to eat lettuce hung on a pole in front of them. The custom comes from the similar sounds of the words pluck (cai), vegetable (cài ), and fortune (cái). The lion "eats" the lettuce and spits it out in favor of the red envelope attached. During New Year's celebrations, red envelopes are filled with money.</h3><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div></p><h3>At the same time, the crowd shoots off large amounts of confetti in celebration.</h3><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div></p><h3>There was a lot of confetti on the ground after the dance.</h3><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div></p><h3>Finally, it was time for the actual firecrackers. The team in charge used this pyrotechnic firing system to start the festivities from a safe distance.</h3><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div></p><h3>This is what it looked like when it started. The ribbons and ornaments at the top were lined with firecrackers.</h3><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div></p><h3>The sound was deafening for those who were closest.</h3><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div></p><h3>And here's what it looked like near the end.</h3><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div></p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/massive-escalator-10-floors-chongqing-china-2015-2">This massive outdoor escalator in China is 10 stories high</a></h3>        <div>            <div>        <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="E4MnJhczpr-4OVHIvHLze5zQuiPf7GJI" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>        </div>        </div>            </div>

Here's what it's like to celebrate Chinese New Year in New York City

<br /><ul><li><strong>As <keyword id="55910" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Air-Pollution">air pollution</keyword> levels continue to worsen in India’s national capital and its surrounding area, New Delhi has decided to observe ‘Clean Air Week’ between 1 November to 5 November.</strong></li><li><strong><strong>52 teams along with the support of local police and representatives from Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) will be coming together for the campaign.</strong></strong></li><li><strong>The campaign will cover New Delhi and the surrounding areas of the National Capital Region (NCR)— Faridabad, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad and Noida.</strong></li></ul>The air quality in India’s national capital, New Delhi, has become a major challenge <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/toxic-air-killed-highest-number-of-children-in-india-in-2016-who-report/articleshow/66446692.cms">threatening millions of lives</a>. The growing concern for air quality in the National Capital Region (NCR) has pushed the government to organise a Clean Air Week from 1 November to 5 November. <br /><br />It’s an initiative by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in collaboration with the Delhi government and the other NCR cities, in order to combat the worsening conditions.<br /><br />Clean Air Week, scheduled just ahead of <keyword id="188" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="20" keywordseo="Diwali">Diwali</keyword>, will bring together <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/clean-air-week-52-teams-supported-by-local-police-to-be-on-ground-in-delhi-4-neighbouring-cities/articleshow/66451468.cms">52 teams</a> along with the local police to take action against polluters in New Delhi and its neighbouring cities including Gurugram, Faridabad, Noida and Ghaziabad from this Thursday. <br /><br />Teams have also been formed to ensure safety on the roads of Delhi-NCR. Each team would have a senior official from MoEFCC and representatives from Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). <br /><br />44 of these teams are based out of Delhi and other cities will have 2 teams each supported by the local police. The teams will also ensure that the repeat offenders are taken seriously by ensuring criminal proceedings and that citizens abide by the <a href="https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/firecracker-ban-firecrackers-other-than-green-crackers-will-not-be-sold-in-delhi-ncr-supreme-court/307240">restrictions on placed on fireworks</a>.<br /><br />The Indian Supreme Court has directed that citizens in Delhi-NCR can only burst crackers between 8 PM and 10 PM during Diwali, one of India’s most popular Hindu festivals. And, people can’t just burst any old firecrackers, they have to be ‘<a href="https://news.google.com/articles/CBMihgFodHRwczovL3d3dy5pbmRpYXRvZGF5LmluL21haWwtdG9kYXkvc3RvcnkvZ3JlZW4tY3JhY2tlcnMtc2hvcGtlZXBlcnMtZGVsaGktbm9pZGEtc3VwcmVtZS1jb3VydC1lY28tZnJpZW5kbHktZGl3YWxpLTEzNzkxNTEtMjAxOC0xMC0zMdIB1AFodHRwczovL3d3dy1pbmRpYXRvZGF5LWluLmNkbi5hbXBwcm9qZWN0Lm9yZy92L3Mvd3d3LmluZGlhdG9kYXkuaW4vYW1wL21haWwtdG9kYXkvc3RvcnkvZ3JlZW4tY3JhY2tlcnMtc2hvcGtlZXBlcnMtZGVsaGktbm9pZGEtc3VwcmVtZS1jb3VydC1lY28tZnJpZW5kbHktZGl3YWxpLTEzNzkxNTEtMjAxOC0xMC0zMT9hbXBfanNfdj0wLjEjd2Vidmlldz0xJmNhcD1zd2lwZQ?hl=en-IN&amp;gl=IN&amp;ceid=IN%3Aen">green fireworks</a>’.<br /><br />The meeting held under the chairmanship of Union Environment Secretary, CK Mishra, proposed certain urgent steps that can be taken to address the issue. The Delhi government has also been asked to deploy 400 sprinklers as a backup to mitigate any crisis. <br /><br />In addition, construction sites in area have been instructed to shut down temporarily. Even trucks carrying construction and demolition waste aren’t allowed to move around the city uncovered. And if they do, the trucks will be confiscated. <br /><br />Mishra’s proposal also stated that the authorities will have to ensure that there is no burning of industrial waste and biomass fuel.<br /><br />Since of one the main problems in Delhi is its burgeoning traffic, it has also been advised that the Delhi traffic police launch a special drive for lane driving. District magistrates have be enrolled to ensure security and safety in their respective areas.<br /><br />The CPCB teams will be monitoring the <keyword id="2071721" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Air-Quality-Index">air quality index</keyword> in Delhi and NCR region while the campaign will continue till 5 November. It has been emphasised that all the necessary steps must be taken to ensure that air quality levels don’t plummet even further.<br />

‘Clean Air Week’ — India to deploy emergency measures for controlling air pollution

<br /> As the country indulges in an orgy of festivities this <keyword id="188" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="80" keywordseo="Diwali">Diwali</keyword>, one can’t help but think of the air and noise pollution we cause by bursting firecrackers. However, Bengaluru-based hyper-local on-demand delivery service <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Roadrunnr">Roadrunnr</a> is celebrating Diwali in the most unique way possible! The startup is distributing ‘plantable bookmarks’ with almost every delivery they make on 11<sup>th</sup> and 12<sup>th</sup> November!<br />
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The bookmarks will be gifted in packed biodegradable envelopes. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Roadrunnr">Roadrunnr</a>’s delivery boys will hand-over one biodegradable envelope with every order they deliver across Bengaluru, Delhi and Mumbai. Customers can use these bookmarks and plant it in a pot as per the instructions on the envelope. In around 10 days they can look forward to a small plant blooming. A variety of seeds will be used so every customer will be surprised with a unique plant!<br />
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Viral Chhajer, Head of Marketing &amp; Communications, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Roadrunnr">Roadrunnr</a>, says, “We are excited to launch this green initiative for Diwali and we will plant five trees for every bookmark planted by a customer. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Roadrunnr">Roadrunnr</a> team looks forward to planting more than 50,000 trees through this initiative.”<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Roadrunnr">Roadrunnr</a> will also gift merchants it works with bamboo plants in customized pots. This initiative is in association with ‘Nurturing Green’ and aims to promoting the green concept of gifting, decor and landscaping this festive season.<br />
<br /> <keyword id="3601249" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Roadrunnr">Roadrunnr</keyword> currently operates in 11 cities and makes more than 35,000 deliveries per day. It was founded by Mohit Kumar and Arpit Dave who worked together at <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Flipkart">Flipkart</a> earlier.<br />
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Image credit: Roadrunnr<br />

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