Supreme Court Reconsiders Ban, Mulls 'Balanced Approach' with Green Crackers
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Environment & Ecology (Air Pollution, Air Quality Index - AQI, Particulate Matter - PM2.5, Green Crackers, Commission for Air Quality Management - CAQM); Indian Polity and Governance (Judiciary, Amicus curiae); Science & Technology bodies (National Environmental Engineering Research Institute - NEERI, Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation - PESO).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 2 (Polity & Governance): Role of Judiciary in governance; Government policies and interventions.
General Studies Paper 3 (Environment): Environmental pollution and degradation. The "Environment vs. Culture/Livelihood" debate, especially in the context of air pollution, is a classic Mains theme.
Key Highlights from the News
The Supreme Court hinted at the possibility of reviewing the complete ban on firecrackers in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR).
The court is trying to find a "balanced approach" that considers both the right to livelihood and environmental protection, instead of a ban.
The court is considering allowing green crackers on a "trial basis" for the upcoming Diwali.
Only green crackers certified by NEERI and PESO will be allowed.
The central government argued in court that there is no precise data to scientifically prove that firecrackers are the main cause of air pollution.
The court also indicated its readiness to review the 2018 Arjun Gopal case verdict.
The central government suggested that green crackers could be allowed with strict controls, such as sales only by licensed traders, a ban on online sales, and fixed time slots for bursting crackers.
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