Bengaluru: Karnataka Government has banned the use of regular fire crackers paving way for green crackers this Deepavali.

The State Government in its order issued on Saturday has urged the citizens not to use fire crackers as a measure to reduce sound and noise pollutions and also safeguard the health conditions of seniors and children.

In a press release, Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Eshwar Khandre has stated that citizens must quit using  fire crackers considering the harm it causes to the environment.

“There have been many instances of children suffering injuries while bursting crackers an it would be safer not to burn crackers,” he said.

However, with many still wanting to burst crackers during the festival celebrations, Khandre has urged people to use only green crackers.

Both High Court and Supreme Court have passed orders banning the use of crackers which make sound more than 125 decibels and emit more smoke. As per the orders, bursting of only green crackers is allowed between 8 pm and 10 pm.

Minister Khandre has also instructed the Department officials to get a written assurance from the fire cracker vendors to only sell, store and transport green crackers before issuing the licences. He has also warned of stringent action against those violating the rules.