Green and responsible diwali is not a new concept, however, during these unprecedented times of the COVID-19 pandemic, where the nature of the disease restricts social movements, and has direct linkage to air pollution, green diwali is the only viable option that we have.

Listed below are five innovative and green ways to celebrate this year’s Diwali:

1. Green Crackers: Green crackers are eco-friendly crackers and safe for the environment. The fumes from these crackers have no adverse effect on the environment and also do not cause any breathing or lung problems. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) and Supreme Court of India in December, 2020, passed orders that has allowed the sale of green crackers during festivity for a stipulated time frame during the Covid pandemic.
2. Earthen Lamps/eco-friendly candles: Rather than using LED lights and other lights which consume power and are not environment friendly, invest in earthen lamps. The earthen lamps are pollution-free and eco-friendly. By buying diyas, you will also be helping out small-time earthen diya manufactures and sellers.
3. Organic Rangoli: Majority of the colours are non-biodegradable and harm the environment. Try to use organic and natural ingredients like rice powder, cloves/ cinnamon(brown), turmeric or haldi (yellow), etc. Simple yet gorgeous! Flowers are the best option for ‘go green diwali’ as they are safe for the environment and bio-degradable.
4. Seed Crackers: Seed crackers are an alternative for firecrackers. Seed crackers are the perfect solution for celebrating Diwali, especially during the pandemic when high-levels of pollutants are harmful for Covid-19 patients. Gram Art Project, a collective of farmers, painters, social workers, and writers from Paradsinga village in Chhindwara district, on the border of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra is making such eco-friendly crackers. Under their initiative called ‘Barood Vs Beej’ or gunpowder Vs seeds, Gram Art Project has been making eco-friendly crackers for the last two years. Known by the name ‘beej patakha’ or seed crackers, these seed bombs have seedlings in them. Along with being environmentally friendly, the initiative is also helping rural women earn a livelihood. The conventional crackers are made with all forms of exploitation including child labour, poor wages, hazardous working conditions, harm to the environment but the seed crackers on the other hand are helping the poor earn skills and livelihood and are completely exploitation free.
5. Avoid Plastic Wrappers: Avoid using plastic gift wraps and adopt bio-degradable bags which are completely compostable. These bags, unlike plastic bags and wraps, do not harm the environment.