Instead of individual celebration prefer community celebration. This will ensure reduced cost of celebration; paper pollution in a limited space and as compared to individual celebration, community celebration will cause less air and noise pollution.
Even while celebrating commonly make sure that you limit your celebration for a limited period of time. Your celebration can last for maximum 3 to 4 hours.
Instead of selecting traditional chemical cracker this Diwali go for eco-friendly diwali crackers. Eco-friendly crackers are made up of recycled paper and the sound produced by these crackers is under the decibel limit defined by the Pollution Board. These crackers produce paper fluffers and different color lights instead of sound on bursting.
Instead of electric illumination go for traditional lightening of earthen lamps or diyas. This will not only enhance the beauty of your house but will also cut down the enormous electric consumption. Though earthen lamps need oil but the quantity is less and it gives light for at least 3-4 hours.
Cut down your shopping list and avoid purchasing unwanted and unnecessary things this Diwali. Excess consumerism is directly related to the consumption of raw material used to manufacture those things. Excessive consumerism increases the undue pressure on the natural resources.
Instead of buying “one-time use” items go for recyclable things. Secondly while cleaning your home, instead of disposing things it is better to give it to under-privilege people.
Avoid using Chemical Colours
Earlier the Holi colors were prepared from the flowers of trees like Indian Coral Tree (parijat) and the Flame of the Forest (Kesu). However, with the arrival of dry chemical colors, people stopped taking pence for extracting the flowers colors and with time the use of chemical and aluminum paints increased during the celebrations. These chemical dyes not only prove extremely dangerous to one’s skin but are also hazardous for environment as lots of pollution is caused during its preparation as well as after their mergence with water cycle.
Eco Friendly Bonfire
The burning of fuel wood in order to perform the Holi Bonfire or the Holika Dahan presents is another factor related to Holi that raises a factor of concern. Umpteen useful fuel wood is wasted during this ritual, this not only leads to the cutting of trees but also unnecessary pollution in return. In stead of wooden logs, it would be ideal if people use this Holika Dahan for burning their waste material.
First Published: Friday, October 22, 2010, 13:14