Haryana Urged to Celebrate a Cracker-Free Green Diwali

WWF-India's EIACP Programme Centre, supported by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Government of India, has appealed to the people of Haryana to celebrate a cracker-free Green Diwali this year.
The appeal is part of the nationwide Green Diwali Campaign 2026 (20 October – 8 November), under the Government of India's Mission LiFE. In Haryana, the campaign focuses on 24 cities and towns: Ambala, Bahadurgarh, Ballabgarh, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Dharuhera, Faridabad, Gurugram, Hisar, Jind, Kaithal, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Mandikhera, Manesar, Narnaul, Palwal, Panchgaon, Panchkula, Panipat, Rohtak, Sirsa, Sonipat and Yamuna Nagar.
Why it matters
Firecrackers release fine dust (PM2.5 and PM10), toxic gases and heavy metals. In early winter, calm air traps this smoke near the ground for days. Children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with asthma or heart conditions suffer the most. Crackers also cause burns and fires, and they frighten animals and birds.
Clean air efforts are working. In FY 2025-26, 108 of the 130 cities under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) recorded lower dust (PM10) levels than in 2017-18. Avoiding crackers is a simple way for every family to protect these gains.
What citizens can do
•    Say no to firecrackers
•    Light earthen diyas and LED lights
•    Make rangoli with flowers, rice flour and turmeric
•    Avoid single-use plastic and never burn waste or crop residue
•    Choose local, eco-friendly gifts
•    Walk, cycle or use public transport
•    Check your city's daily AQI on the SAMEER app, and the GRAP stage in force on the CAQM website
•    Report air-polluting activities through the SAMEER app or your city's grievance app
Take the Pledge
Schools, colleges, resident welfare associations and community groups are invited to take the Green Diwali Pledge and share photos of their activities.
SAMEER App (CPCB)
•    Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cpcb&pcampaignid=web_share
•    iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/in/app/sameer-indias-aqi/id1186664744
Carbon Footprint Survey: https://wwfindiawebgis.in/Carbon_Footprint/Carbon_Footprint.html
Share your activities: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/15hDbjbqZzeo68kNjAxeHQA_SMIQ7lUlPdvCIi-gvwdY/viewform
This Diwali, celebrate with light, not smoke. Let Haryana breathe clean air.
Swachh Pawan, Neel Gagan

Clcik for Hindi version

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PS/RN