OCM

Topic- Bad Effects of Festivals on environment.

Introduction-
The environment is the natural world which is made by the living beings
(people, animals, and the plants) and land. Therefore, it is the surroundings
that affect the behaviour and development of a living being or a thing. The
surroundings may be living factors like plants, animals and decomposers and
non-living things like air, water, light, soil etc.

Human beings are the product of the environment. They are an important
factor in the environment. It is the environment that helps us for our survival,
growth, development, reproduction, and health. No creature’s existence is
possible without the balance of the natural elements. Thus, there must be a
healthy environment for our sound living. The healthier the environment the
happier the living beings including humans.

However, knowing that the environment should be clean, healthy and non-
polluted, the large-scale celebration of various festivals has degraded the
quality of the environment.

The practice of immersion of Ganesh idols after the Ganesh festival in various
cities is causing severe water pollution which leads to the death of tonnes of
fish and many aquatic creatures.

The immersion of Durga Statutes during the Durga pooja is also a cause of
concern for environmentalists. In Orissa alone 5,000 Durga pooja idols are
made, most of them using harmful paints.

Diwali, one of the important festivals in India has the distinction of polluting
the environment to the core. New-borns and aged people have a nightmarish
experience because of the high levels of sound caused by crackers during
Diwali. Noise pollution on Diwali is between 69.7 dB and 88.3 dB which are
higher than the prescribed limit of 50 dB the decibel levels alarmingly high in
metros and it may reach up to 100 dB
The government, police, pollution control boards are suggesting many
alternative ways to celebrate festivals which do not pollute the environment.
Even strict and stringent warnings are also given to the public to refrain from
bursting crackers such as atom bombs, hydrogen bombs, bullet bombs,
thousand and ten thousand walls. But it all solely depends on the “change of
mind”.

Aims and Objectives-

The project aims to understand and raise awareness about the bad effects of
various festivals on the environment and help us know how it degrades the
environment and also how can we reduce its ill effects on the environment.

1. To learn how to reduce Pollution in our environment that is caused due

to festivals.
2. To start using eco-friendly products to pave way for a healthier and
more sustainable environment.
3. To learn how different festivals, have bad impact on our environment.
4. To learn what can be done to reduce the pollution in our environment.

To learn that festivals can be celebrated without polluting our environment

Detail Report of Project-

DIWALI:

Air pollution during Diwali

Clearly environmental groups and eco-clubs are fighting a losing battle. They
come up with awareness campaigns and slogans like “Diwali is a festival of
lights, not crackers”, “celebrate an eco-sensitive Diwali this year”, but nobody
seems to take notice. Apart from the noise, crackers release a lot of toxic gases
like Sulphur dioxide and Nitrogen dioxide which can lead to many health
problems.

Impact of air pollution on health

Air pollution can lead to lung cancer, cardiovascular diseases, chronic

respiratory diseases, and allergies in adults. It can also cause acute respiratory
infections in children. Suspended particulate matter can cause asthma,
bronchitis, and other respiratory diseases.

GANESH CHATURTHI/DURGA POOJA:

Durga Puja is one of the auspicious occasions celebrated with great enthusiasm
across India. In modern times, festivals are getting commercialized and taking
the shape of pomp and show. Different communities set huge gigantic and
attractive bright idols in order to compete with other communities. This all
leads to the major problem of environmental pollution. Idols made from
nonbiodegradable material and toxic paints contaminate water making it unfit
for the survival of aquatic life and drinking purposes.

The material used for idols like POP is mainly the compound of gypsum,
sulphur, phosphorus, and magnesium. Chemical paints comprise of mercury,
cadmium; lead and carbon. Immersion of idols with such poisonous and toxic
elements raises the level of acidity, solid matter, organic matter and heavy
metals in water bodies. These materials don’t dissolve readily and lower the
oxygen level in water adversely affecting the aquatic life.

Here are the results of a scientific study done on a body of water in Andhra
Pradesh, the Hussainsagar Lake. After examining the water before and after
immersion the scientists found that the concentration of substances like
calcium, magnesium, molybdenum and silicon concentrations increased
significantly. Also, it was found that concentrations of heavy metals like
arsenic, lead and mercury had increased. Metals like lead and mercury are
particularly worrisome as they are dangerous to health and can damage the
heart, kidneys, liver, circulatory system and central nervous system.

Besides polluting the water, they reach humans via the food chain, when
humans consume fish and other sea-food. If the fish survive that is! Because
hundreds of fish are found dead after the immersions.

ANALYSIS OF DATA:

Anant Chaturthi the culmination of a ten-day long Ganesh Festival, one of the
most important festivals of western India. It was a day of great joyousness and
celebration…but it has an ugly side. The environmental damage it causes.
Thousands of idols made from harmful materials like plaster of Paris and toxic
metals, coated with deadly paints containing mercury, cadmium, lead, and
carbon enters our water bodies. These idols, some of them gigantic in size, are
immersed in lakes, rivers, and the sea.

Just Mumbai’s sea takes in about 1.5 lakh (1 lakh = 100,000) idols every year! Is
it any wonder then oxygen levels in the water bodies fall by about 50 percent
immediately after the 10-day Ganeshutsav festival?

While we discuss this topic let’s not forget about Diwali. Every year thousands
of firecrackers are burst in Diwali which causes pollution in the environment.
Here are few of the effects of it on humans.

Sulphur dioxide can damage lungs and lead to lung disorders like wheezing and
shortness of breath.

Oxides of Nitrogen can cause skin problems, eye irritation, and cause
respiratory problems in children.

Chemicals used in crackers like lead, magnesium, cadmium, nitrate, sodium,

and others can have various harmful effects.

CONCLUSION:
Since everyone can see that festival are a religious thing but at the same time,
no one thinks about what harmful effect it has on our environment if we don’t
perform it properly. Bursting firecrackers on Diwali, Submerging Idols on
Ganesh Chaturthi etc are clearly polluting our air and water. Thus, my project
covers the points that have a harmful impact on our environment.

This project discussed two different festivals and their effects on our
environment. This could be really upsetting because if water is polluted then
there is a high risk for fish and humans because of poisonous elements present
in polluted water. This can cause fishes to die and humans to be severely ill.
While air pollution can cause respiration problems. Therefore, this project talks
about harmful effects of festivals on environment and thus one should learn
not to pollute one’s environment and live a healthy life

DISCUSSION:

After discussing what could be the solutions for reducing pollution during
festivals, we have come to know about various remedies which I will be listing
below

Instead of individual celebration prefer community celebration. This will

ensure the reduced cost of celebration; paper pollution in a limited space and
as compared to the individual celebration, a community celebration will cause
less air and noise pollution.

Even while celebrating commonly make sure that you limit your celebration for
a limited period of time. Your celebration can last for maximum 3 to 4 hours.

Instead of selecting traditional chemical cracker this Diwali goes for eco-
friendly Diwali crackers. Eco-friendly crackers are made up of recycled paper
and the sound produced by these crackers is under the decibel limit defined by
the Pollution Board. These crackers produce paper fluffers and different colour
lights instead of sound on bursting.

Instead of electric illumination go for traditional lightening of earthen lamps or

diyas. This will not only enhance the beauty of your house but will also cut
down the enormous electric consumption. Though earthen lamps need oil the
quantity is less and it gives light for at least 3-4 hours.

Cut down your shopping list and avoid purchasing unwanted and unnecessary
things this Diwali. Excess consumerism is directly related to the consumption
of raw material used to manufacture those things. Excessive consumerism
increases the undue pressure on the natural resources.
Instead of buying “one-time use” items go for recyclable things. Secondly while
cleaning your home, instead of disposing of things it is better to give it to
underprivileged people.

YOUR OPINION/ SUGGESTION:

Our country India is a very big country and every day of a year is a festival and
it can be celebrated here with great joy and happiness.” India a country Where
Every day Is A Celebration. “Every festival takes an important part in the life of
different peoples from different communities of India. There are many festivals
can be celebrated on different religious occasions. Indian Festivals are
celebrated across the world because the Indian people are everywhere in the
world.

But this doesn’t mean that we should pollute the environment due to festivals.
As you know mud idols and natural colours were used to make Ganesh idols as
per the customs. These polluting idols are the modern invention and nothing
to do with religion. If people don’t listen, Then we need the laws. The problem
is that politicians don’t want to take tough action as they are afraid of
upsetting the public as this is a religious issue. But I think it isn’t.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

My profound gratitude to all the faculty members of the Department, for their
timely assistance and encouragement throughout my research work.

I duly acknowledge the encouragement and support by the research scholars

in the department, and all my colleagues and friends.

I thank my friends in the stock market and the management of broking firms
who helped me with valuable data in time.
It gives me immense pleasure to take the opportunity to all the people who are
directly or indirectly involved in the completion of my project based on Bad
Effects of Various Festivals on Environment

With deep reverence, I offer my deepest gratitude _____, without whom this
project could not have been fulfilled.

Lastly, I thank Almighty, my parents, family members, friends and teachers for
their constant encouragement and support without which this project would
not be possible.

Conclusion-
There can be many harmful effects, leading from first festival of Year 'Holi'
(festival of colours). Many harmful colours are available in market which can
cause skin problems.

Secondly, Ganesh Chaturthi and Durga pooja cause water Pollution, Idols of
God are made from chemical colours which while visarjan dissolve in sea water
and result in destruction of our day to day life.

Thirdly, Diwali festival of lights and crackers, burning of crackers lead to

harmful emission of chemicals which indirectly is a cause for hazardous
diseases.

Celebrating is good when done in a right manner. Impacts are better known by
Humans as effect will be on them only may be directly or indirectly so one
should keep in mind while celebrating or enjoying the flow of festive season.