New Delhi: Call it growing awareness among Delhiites or lack of moolah in their pockets, but Diwali has brought good news for the environment conscious citizens this year, with a perceptible decrease in the consumption of firecrackers.

Officials claim that the government-sponsored "Say no to Crackers" campaign, along with combined efforts of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and schools, has brought the sale of crackers down bringing welcome relief to the people.

According to Dilip Biswas, chairman, Central Pollution Control Board, the anti- firecracker campaign was an effective example of how public awareness can go a long way in dealing with the problem of pollution.

"Spreading awareness with the help of NGOs can help solve the problem of noise pollution, besides effective implementation of Legislations," says Biswas stressing the significant role played by school children during the campaign.

The optimism is not misplaced, keeping in mind the fact that Laws by themselves have not been able to achieve much, say environmentalists, noting despite bans, the Rs 250 crore fireworks industry is still healthy and flourishing.

Firecrackers producing sound of 125 decibels (AI) at the distance of four metres are banned by the Supreme Court.

However, a study by the National Physical Laboratory, CPCB, showed that 95 per cent of the crackers were violating the limits.

"Most of the firecrackers tested were found to be producing sound levels above or near 130 dB at a distance of four metres which can cause permanent damage to hearing," says Dr V Mohanan, scientist, NPL.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests amended "noise pollution" defined in the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986 and banned manufacture, sale and use of firecrackers generating noise levels exceeding 125 dB (AL) or 145 dB (C) which was notified three years back.

While public awareness is definitely an important factor, authorities cannot simply get away by putting the onus on the public, says Ravi Agarwal of Toxic Links, an NGO.

Strict implementation of Laws is also important, he says.

However, a decline in demand of firecrackers is confirmed by the sellers who claim that the authorities have been strict in giving licenses to them.

"The prices have shot up and the enthusiasm much evident till a couple of years back is lacking," says Iqbal, a seller in Sadar Bazar, as he sits waiting for customers at his shop.

According to Mohanan, the messages broadcast, especially by the electronic media, as a part the anti-firecracker campaign left a lot to be desired.

"Simply by asking people to say no to crackers can never be effective. Messages should highlight the grave risk to the health and environment," he says.

Until a couple of years back, Diwali promised a smog-filled environment for the capital's citizens for days to come.

According to a Delhi Pollution Control Committee official, the festival meant an increase in air pollution by six to ten times in terms of suspended particulate matter (SPM), nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxode.

There was increase in noise pollution above 125 dB which can even cause deafness and rise in cases of respiratory diseases such as acute bouts of asthma, bronchities and heart attacks, he says.

The Delhi government's awareness campaigns, made successful with the active participation of students, resulted in decline of crackers by 20 to 30 per cent, according to the environment department.

A CPCB survey found that the the rise in noise pollution on Diwali last year had reduced in 11 out of 17 locations, for which the data was available, compared to the year before.

PTI