Anti-Pollution Directives Dent $800 Million Sivakasi Firecracker Industry

After SC’s 2018 decision to call for ‘green crackers’, firecracker manufacturers in Tamil Nadu’s Sivakasi are struggling to cope with the curbs imposed on chemical formulas approved by government agencies. Many producers have switched to manufacturing the “green crackers” after receiving training and assistance from the government. But being more expensive, sales have been slow.

Crux of the Matter

1. There are 1,070 licensed firecracker manufacturers in Sivakasi, with around 3 lakh workers.

2. The industry is the biggest local job creator, directly or indirectly employing thousands of uneducated men and women. Some people have been forced to migrate to other daily wage jobs after the downturn in the firecracker industry.

3. Manufacturers complain about “confusion and lack of clarity” and that there has been no adequate response from government agencies on “green cracker formulations”. Both sides are now waiting for a final judgment from the Supreme Court to clear the air, possibly as early as November 5.

4. Sivakasi, the biggest firecracker manufacturing hubs in India, is still coping with the new green cracker policy to gain licenses from PESO, learning green formulation for the crackers, bringing in mechanised technology for the production of fireworks and working out a formula to increase the shelf life for green crackers.

Curiopedia

Sivakasi is a town in Tamil Nadu which is known for its firecracker, matchbox and printing industries. The industries in Sivakasi employ over 2,50,000 people with an estimated turn over of ₹20 billion. Sivakasi was established in the 15th century during the reign of the Pandya king Harikesari Parakkirama Pandian. Approximately 70% of the firecrackers and matches produced in India are from Sivakasi. The hot and dry climate of the town is conducive to the firecracker and matchbox making industries. The major issues in the fireworks industry in Sivakasi is child labour and frequent accidents. More Info

Green Crackers – In an October 2018 judgment, the Supreme Court mandated the use of green crackers for Diwali. It prescribed specific manufacturing norms, key among which was the ban of the use of Barium Nitrate, a major pollutant in crackers. The National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), is leading the development of green crackers. As per Court definitions ‘green cracker’ are crackers with an improved formulation. NEERI claims that green crackers cause similar sound output as traditional crackers. 230 companies have signed agreements with NEERI, which was preceded by demonstrations in Sivakasi.

Curated Coverage

1. NDTV – $800 Million Firecracker Industry In Tamil Nadu’s Sivakasi Hit By Anti-Pollution Drive

2. India Today – Firecracker manufacturing hub Sivakasi unsure of its fate after reduction in sales, confusion over green crackers

3. Indian Express – In Sivakasi, fireworks makers say caught in green cracker haze

4. The Hindu Business Line – Diwali blues: Supreme Court’s green crackers diktat makes Sivakasi see red

5. The Hindu – How green are Deepavali crackers?

#Diwali #Environment #India #Science #SC