Diwali, the festival of lights, is a time we all love because we get to celebrate it with our families and bring a joy of togetherness. However, as we bask in the glow of diyas and indulge in seasonal delicacies, it is important to think about the impact of fireworks on the environment. As the world grapples with pressing ecological concerns, making this Diwali eco-friendly is not a choice but a responsibility that we all need to understand. So what are you waiting for? Let us tell you some important ways in which you can plan a green Diwali!
Why is it necessary to celebrate an eco-friendly Diwali?
Diwali is associated with lights and fireworks, which causes a lot of air and noise pollution. It can have serious consequences for people with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other respiratory conditions, explains Dr. Baghel. Not only that, it can be extremely harmful for children to breathe the air with so many toxins in it, says Dr. Paritosh Baghel, Senior Consultant-Internal Medicine, SL Raheja Hospital Mahim, an employee of Fortis, to help you with this Make Diwali more environmentally friendly. -friendly.
In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of cases related to asthma, allergic rhinitis and bronchitis during the Diwali period. People suffering from these health conditions should take all relevant precautions and stay indoors, especially if being outdoors could trigger their condition. In addition, small children and the elderly are most affected by noise and smoke pollution, so they should also take relevant precautions, the expert said.
Also read: Beware of Asthma During Diwali: Prevention Tips for Asthma Patients as Pollution Increases
Moreover, the waste of resources is something that can cause more damage to nature. Therefore, it is important to reduce pollution and its impact on the health of the vulnerable population at this time. Moreover, you should use resources that are not harmful, but also good for the environment. It is best to celebrate Diwali in an eco-friendly and green way. And the best way to do this is to avoid exploding fireworks.
How can you make your Diwali more eco-friendly?
If you have understood the importance of celebrating a green and eco-friendly Diwali, here are some ways you can do it:
1. Go traditional with diyas
Stop buying plastic diyas that are not good for the environment when there are so many beautiful eco-friendly options available in the market. Opt for more traditional clay diyas instead of plastic. They are biodegradable and the best part is that they can be reused. So you also save money – a win-win situation! Moreover, you also support local artisans.
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2. Make your rangoli with natural colors
Making rangolis on Diwali is a tradition that we all love and have been following for ages. This year, choose natural colors for rangoli. Instead of using chemical-laden rangoli colors, go natural and use things from your kitchen or flowers from your garden. You can use rice flour, turmeric, marigolds, roses and more to make your rangoli more eco-friendly.
3. Eco-friendly firecrackers or green crackers
While the best way to make your Diwali eco-friendly is by not bursting the crackers, if you still can’t resist, it’s best to choose eco-friendly options. Dr. Baghel also recommends blowing off only those firecrackers that produce the least amount of noise and fumes so that air pollution is not drastically affected.
Also read: 5 compelling reasons why you should avoid fireworks
4. LED lighting
Diwali is a festival of lights and obviously you want your home to shine the brightest. But what if there is a way to make that more environmentally friendly too? Well, you can choose eco-friendly LED lighting to decorate your home. They use less power and even last longer than traditional light bulbs.
5. Eco-friendly gifts
Do you like to gift beautiful things to your friends and family on Diwali? Why not try giving your friends a little more eco-friendly gift this year? Give them gifts of potted plants, organic produce, handmade or reusable items. What could be better than being closer to the spirit of Diwali than being traditional and organic?
6. Practice environmentally conscious packing
Use recycled or reusable gift wrapping materials, such as cloth bags or newspaper. Avoid shiny and metallic wrapping paper, which is not easily recyclable. You can also choose products that require minimal packaging. Excessive packaging contributes to more waste.
7. Reuse and recycle
If you have decorations and materials from previous years, use them instead of buying new ones. If you don’t have anything that can be reused, invest in good one-time decorations this year that can be reused for years to come. This way you save both the environment and money.
You can enjoy the festive atmosphere of Diwali by adopting these eco-friendly practices that will reduce the impact on the environment and help you make your Diwali more eco-friendly.