Make New Year's Day celebration free of fireworks to ease pollution: CAPS

Dhaka, 27 Dec  - Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS), a research organisation, on Friday demanded fireworks-free New Year's Day celebrations, highlighting the severe impacts of firecrackers and sky lanterns on the environment, ecology and public health.

 According to a CAPS study, sound pollution in Dhaka surged by 42 percent in the two hours from 11:00 pm to 1:00 am on the last 31st night (2023-2024), compared to the same period of the previous night, while air pollution worsened by 36 percent in the 24 hours (January 1) after the last celebration.

 The demand was placed at a press conference arranged at the National Press Club here in the city.

 “Firecrackers and sky lanterns have terrible impacts on the environment, ecology, biodiversity, and public health. One and only solution to it is to stop such firecrackers,” said CAPS Chairman Dr Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumdar.

 He said CAPS has been monitoring air and sound pollution during New Year celebrations since 2017-2018.

 Sharing the study findings, Dr Majumdar said, on the last 31st night (2023-2024), sound levels rose to 85 dB between 11:00 pm and 1:00 am, compared to 60 dB on the previous night (December 30).

 Similarly, air pollution saw a significant spike, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 241 on January 1, up from 205 on December 31, he said.

 “We must balance the joy of New Year celebrations with the need to protect the environment,” he added.

 The study recommended strict bans on the import, production, sale, and distribution of polluting fireworks and sky lanterns. It also emphasized the need for effective enforcement of the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules 2006 and other environmental laws, alongside protective measures for animals, birds, and wildlife during the celebrations.