Tamil Nadu has asked people to celebrate a noiseless, pollution-free Deepavali: burst only green crackers, only between 6 and 7 AM and 7 and 8 PM on Deepavali day, preferably together in open spaces, and away from hospitals and huts.
Tamil Nadu has asked people to celebrate a noiseless, pollution-free Deepavali: burst only green crackers, only between 6 and 7 AM and 7 and 8 PM on Deepavali day, preferably together in open spaces, and away from hospitals and huts.
The Tamil Nadu government and the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board have asked everyone to celebrate a noiseless and pollution-free Deepavali. In an appeal issued on 3 November 2026, the government said crackers may be burst on Deepavali day only from 6 AM to 7 AM and from 7 PM to 8 PM, as in previous years.
Bursting crackers pollutes the land, water and air around us. Excess noise and smoke hurt small children, the elderly and people who are unwell. In a public-interest case, the Supreme Court on 23 October 2018 said crackers should be made with eco-friendly materials and moved to green crackers, and asked states to raise awareness and allow bursting only in set places. Based on that ruling, Tamil Nadu has fixed the two one-hour slots on Deepavali day every year since 2018.
Schools, colleges, National Green Corps units and green clubs across all districts are spreading awareness, and all Collectors have been asked to act on the Supreme Court’s order. Protecting the environment is everyone’s duty — wishing all a happy, pollution-free Deepavali.