News Flash
30 October 2024
State mandate requires only green crackers to be sold, yet they constitute merely 5-10% of firecrackers in the market
Bengaluru: Although Karnataka has required the sale of only green crackers during Diwali for several years, green crackers continue to account for only a small portion of the total firecrackers sold in Bengaluru. Last year, the city saw a total sale of Rs 400 crore in firecrackers, with green crackers making up only Rs 40 crore, or about 10% of the market. This Diwali, sales are expected to rise to around Rs 500 crore, yet the presence of green crackers remains limited.
To help consumers identify green crackers, packaging is marked with the logo of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI). The CSIR website has also released a list of approved companies authorized to manufacture and sell green crackers, aiming to guide customers towards eco-friendly options. Green crackers are specifically designed to produce less pollution than traditional varieties, aligning with efforts to reduce air pollution during the festive season.
The state government’s mandate reflects a broader push for environmentally friendly celebrations, but the low uptake of green crackers highlights the ongoing challenge of enforcing these regulations.