Today, the country is celebrating its one of the most anticipated festival, Diwali. Linked to the Indian mythology and history this festival has a significant influence among the people of the country.
However due to the widely usage of different types of firecrackers, packed with environmentally harmful substances, have been severely causing environmental degradation over the years.
Environmentalists have always shown their concerns over the usage of firecrackers. Whether during the Diwali or any other ocassion, firecrackers always add negative effects on the environment, animals as well as on the health of people.
Assam’s Green Oscar awardee and environmental conservation organisation Aaranyak’s senior wildlife biologist, Dr Purnima Devi Barman and a women led environmental group the Hargila Army have been campaigning across Kamrup urging people to observe a sustainable Deepawali. The team has organised various outreach activities such as street plays, public announcements, and poster presentations, yesterday and today with the aim to reduce the usage of firecrackers and promote a sustainable celebration.
“Diwali is a festival of light. We should come forward to celebrate this holy festival by lighting Diyas and lights. Let us all come forward to drop the usage of firecrackers and make this celebration a sustainable one by keeping in mind the health of environment and our people”- Purnima says during a public announcement today at Kamrup.
Kamrup’s Dadara and Pachariya holds breeding colonies of endangered Greater Adjutant Storks (Locally known as Hargila). Dr Barman, who founded the Hargila Army, and head of Aaranyak’s Greater Adjutant Conservation Programme, have formed a troop of hundreds of women voicing and acting for the conservation of Hargila. This effort of promoting a sustainable Diwali is also a part the conservation efforts.
“In Kamrup, The Hargila Army and Aaranyak’s Greater Adjutant Conservation Programme team conducted a series of awareness campaigns encouraging people to celebrate this Diwali sustainably.” Aaranyak posted on their official facebook handle, yesterday.
The government is also encouraging people to adopt sustainable way of celebrations by implementing various regulations for the betterment of people and environment.
