Firecracker Ban May Take The Sheen Out Of Diwali, But It Is A Relief For Senior Citizens, Pets

The firecracker ban during Diwali has always been a contentious issue. While those opposed to it see the ban as an assault on their religion and traditions, those in favour of it argue that it is necessary to keep the air pollution under check and for the safety of their loved ones.

As the never-ending debate over the firecracker ban continues, this year, more states and cities have banned or put restrictions on the type of firecrackers that can be used and timings.

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This is mostly done in view of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, which many health experts have warned will aggravate due to the bursting of crackers.

Whatever may be the argument, senior citizens and pet owners are among those who have wholeheartedly welcomed the firecrackers ban in Delhi.

ANI

"Diwali is not about firecrackers. It can be celebrated by lighting diyas and lamps also. If we burn crackers for one year nothing will happen. We not only have a pollution problem but we also have COVID-19 this year. This decision is for the best. This is a very good decision and I hope that Delhiites adhere to this," a senior citizen told ANI.

Pet owners in Chandigarh welcome the decision of the Union Territory Administration to ban the sale and use of firecrackers.

"It's a good decision. Dogs are really affected by the sound of firecrackers & it's really painful for them," says a pet owner. pic.twitter.com/HbszAr8jXU

¡ª ANI (@ANI) November 14, 2020

"Diwali comes once a year and everyone should celebrate it and enjoy themselves. But they should do so without crackers and all the noise. Pollution levels are through the roof. Even in Karva Chauth, we could barely see the moon. People can buy gifts and meet their families instead," said another.

Animal lovers also expressed relief as dogs, cats and birds are often traumatised and hurt during Diwali and do not cope well with loud sounds.

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Gauri Maulekhi, an animal rights activist with People for Animals told ANI that animals often get sick and traumatised due to stress caused by loud noises during Diwali.

"Firecrackers do not have any religious significance and are not really related to Diwali. By burning crackers, we have spoilt our environment and have completely sidelined animals. They lose their appetite, they get sick due to stress, and several animals on the street suffer injuries due to crackers," Maulekhi said.

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"Birds are traumatised when crackers are burnt at night. For two seconds of excitement, we cause so much damage. Street animals are tortured terribly and don't even have a place to hide. They often eat leftovers of crackers and die. This is a brilliant step by the NGT and I hope that everyone enforces it," she added.

"Dogs hear three-time louder sounds than us. It gets really painful for them to hear cracker sounds," a dog owner said.

According to experts, the loud noise of firecrackers can cause behavioral and psychological changes in pet animals and birds as they are more sensitive to sound than humans.