Bhubaneswar: Ahead of Diwali, the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) has issued a set of guidelines urging people to celebrate the festival in an environmentally friendly and safe manner.

The Board has advised people to restrict firecracker bursting to a two-hour window between 7 pm and 9 pm.

In its advisory, the board has encouraged people to celebrate Diwali by lighting earthen lamps and diyas while avoiding firecrackers that generate excessive noise and air pollution.

As per the guidelines, only approved green crackers will be permitted in open spaces. The manufacture and sale of conventional firecrackers, other than green crackers, remain restricted in accordance with Supreme Court directives.

The board has also specified that the noise level of firecrackers must not exceed the prescribed limit of 125 dB(A). Bursting crackers is strictly prohibited in designated silence zones, including areas near hospitals, educational institutions, courts, parks, gardens and religious places.

People should buy green crackers

People have been advised to purchase green crackers only from authorised sellers and verify the CSIR-NEERI logo and QR code printed on the packaging to ensure their authenticity.

The advisory further prohibits bursting firecrackers near residential settlements, shops, buildings, roads and areas with heavy vehicular movement, particularly locations where there is a risk of fire accidents.

For children's safety, the Board has cautioned against allowing children below 10 years of age to burst noise-producing crackers. It has also advised people to wear cotton clothes while handling fireworks and use transparent protective goggles to safeguard their eyes.

The use of barium and other prohibited chemicals in firecrackers has been strictly banned. People have also been advised to keep a bucket of water or sand near the place where crackers are being burst to deal with emergencies.

The board has urged people not to hold firecrackers in their hands while lighting them. Firecrackers should always be placed on the ground before being ignited, and people must move to a safe distance immediately after lighting them. Unexploded crackers should never be relit.

Any violation to invite penal action

The advisory also highlights the need to dispose of firecracker residues safely to prevent accidental fires. People have been asked to remain sensitive towards pets and other animals, which are particularly vulnerable to loud noises. Senior citizens and those suffering from respiratory ailments have been advised to stay away from firecracker smoke.

The board has encouraged citizens to celebrate an eco-friendly Diwali through lighting, diyas and cultural programmes instead of excessive firecracker use.

It has warned that violations of the guidelines may invite penal action under the Explosives Act, 1958, and the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000. Citizens can lodge complaints regarding violations with their respective district administrations or the police.