Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) labs have been successful in developing various environment-friendly fireworks such as sound emitting crackers, flowerpots, pencils, chakkar and sparklers. These fireworks, based on new formulations developed by CSIR, have been manufactured and are available in the Indian market for consumers and sellers.

It was in 2018 that Dr Harsh Vardhan Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Health and Family Welfare, requested the Indian scientific community to initiate R&D on environment-friendly fireworks. This was done to address not only the environmental concerns arising from use of existing fireworks but also to protect the livelihoods of millions of people engaged in manufacture and sale of fireworks across the country.

Dr Harsh Vardhan while launching the green crackers manufactured by licensee-manufacturers on 5th October in New Delhi had said, “I am very happy that on one hand we would be using eco-friendly crackers this Deepawali, and, on the other hand our traditional festival celebrations with lights and fire crackers shall remain intact. Millions of homes which are dependent on sale and manufacture of fireworks will also rejoice this festival, thanks to our scientists!”

He further echoed that due to the ban that had been imposed as per the orders of Supreme Court of India, there was a threat of imminent closure of the entire fireworks industry. However, Science has once again come to the rescue of the common man and millions of jobs have been saved due to the interventions made by our scientists.

The Minister also lauded the efforts made by CSIR in developing these green crackers and informed that nearly 165 fireworks manufactures have been roped in and around 65 more manufacturers are in the process of coming on board.

A green logo as well as a Quick Response (QR) coding system has been developed for differentiation of green crackers from conventional crackers.  This will also help the consumers to track the cracker using smart phones and other devices and check and control the sales of counterfeit crackers. Dr Harsh Vardhan also indicated that the cost of the green crackers is almost same as that of regular crackers.

Dr Harsh Vardhan further  informed that a helpline has been created for any queries related to emission certificates, QR Codes and formulations.

The helpline is available at: +918617770964 and +919049598046, or, email at: director@neeri.res.in.

About 530 emissions testing certificates have been issued to fireworks manufactures for new and improved formulations meeting the stipulated guidelines of green crackers. A Raw Materials Compositional Analysis (RACE) facility has been launched in Sivakasi to facilitate manufacturers for testing their raw materials and chemical.

To develop reduced emission/green fireworks, eight labs participated,CSIR-NEERI, CEERI, IITR, IICT, NCL, CECRI, NBRI and CMERI, with CSIR NEERI coordinating the entire exercise.

The DG of CSIR, Dr. Shekhar C Mande; Director, NEERI, Dr. Rakesh Kumar and Dr. Sadhana Rayalu, NEERI were also present with the Union Minister during the launch in front of the media.