Thane: Environment activists have approached the chief minister and senior state authorities regarding the bursting of noisy crackers in the city, including in the eco-sensitive zones abutting the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, way beyond the designated limits.Several plush localities along Ghodbunder Highway, Vartak Nagar, and Naupada continued to see crackers being burst till late night on the subsequent days until Diwali Padwa night, with the elderly and ailing suffering the most. Animal lovers and pet parents also complained of the ill effects of noisy crackers and appealed for the use of noiseless ones.Activist Rohit Joshi wrote to state authorities, stating the crackers not only violated the environmental regulations but also impacted wildlife health. Meanwhile, a municipal-commissioned study done on the night of Lakshmi Pujan and released on Thursday revealed the Air Quality Index (AQI) that was 141 before Diwali, shot up to 157 on Lakshmi Pujan day on Oct 21—a significant deterioration. The noise levels saw a 3.2% increase, with peak sound levels rising from 86 Lmax last year to 89.2 Lmax this Diwali, according to a study done by TMC’s pollution control department. “There was an increase in nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide levels, both considered harmful for respiratory health,” said chief environmental officer Manisha Pradhan, who led the study.Anti-noise activist Dr Mahesh Bedekar said while the onus was on the authorities to spread awareness of the ill effects of noisy crackers, residents should also proactively realise the damage they are doing to their own environment. The police can also assist in undertaking special rounds and enforcing the bursting of crackers post 10 pm, he suggested.
