7. NOISE POLLUTION BY FIRECRACKERS: Writ Petition (Civil) No.72/1998 (Noise Pollution – Implementation of the laws for restricting use of loudspeakers and high volume producing sound systems) Vs UOI & Ors.

The Hon’ble Court after hearing the matter on 27.9.2001 issued following directions to all the States and the Union Territories to control noise pollution arising out of bursting of firecrackers, on the eve of the Dushehra and Diwali festivals and other festivals : -

1. The Union Government, the Union Territories as well as all the State Governments should take steps to strictly comply with the rules framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. These Rules are related to the noise standards for firecrackers mentioned at S. No. 89 of Notification No.GSR 682(E), dated 5.10.1999.
2. The use of fireworks or firecrackers should not be permitted except between 6.00 p.m. and 10.00 p.m. No fireworks or firecrackers should be used between 10.00 p.m. and 6.00 a.m.
3. Firecrackers should not be used at any time in silence zones.
4. The State Education Resource Centres in all the States and the Union Territories as well as the management/principals of schools in all the States and Union Territories should take appropriate steps to educate students about the ill effects of air and noise pollution.

The Hon’ble Court also directed that these directions should be given wide publicity both by electronic and print media.