ALLAHABAD: Buoyed by the denizens' support towards the recent campaign against high-decibel firecrackers, anti-pollution activists in the city now plan to extend the campaign and persuade the public against using polythene.

Sharing the details with TOI, anti-pollution activist and Limca Book record holder Rajendra Tiwari Dukanji said, "Perhaps our requests and persuasion worked wonders given the decreased use of firecrackers by locals on the eve of Diwali. Unlike earlier years when the boom of firecrackers made it deafening for residents right from the day of Dhanteras, this year the story is different. The Dhanteras night was quite peaceful with only stray sound of firecrackers heard till midnight. Moreover, in localities like Daragunj, Allahpur and adjoining localities, sale of firecrackers has dropped in comparison to previous years.

He said what is heartening to see this time is the interest evinced by public, in particular the womenfolk, towards using earthen lamps (diyas) instead of Chinese lights for decoration. Local markets were filled with artisans selling earthen lamps and womenfolk making a beeline around their shops.

He said likewise, the initiative needs to be extended to promote use of paper bags and discard polythene which is choking nullahs, sewers and also increasing the level of pollution both in the Ganga and Yamuna. Sadly, items like garlands, flowers and hawan material kept in polythene bags are thrown casually into the river after puja and cremation, unmindful of the consequences.

Convenor, Prayagraj Sewa Samiti, Teerthraj Pandey said the need is to create awareness among the people about the alarming level of air and sound pollution. In this connection, an awareness campaign in schools and residential localities is already underway to educate people about the environmental pollution in the wake of indiscriminate use of firecrackers.

Issuing a clarion call to voluntary organisations and authorities alike to join the campaign and contribute towards keeping the city free from pollution, convenor, Vyapari Ekta Samiti, Vijay Kumar Gupta said that public awareness campaigns in the form of seminars, hoardings at prominent crossings would yield the desired results. Besides this, saints and religious leaders should also apprise the local populace about the menace of pollution through firecrackers.

Speaking from the official perspective, regional officer, UP Pollution Control Board, Dr Mohd Sikandar said, "Definitely, the level of sound and air pollution has come down over the last few years, and this time, it is expected to fall drastically given increased awareness among the people."

He added that in 2010, the level of sound pollution was 60 decibels in sensitive areas, 70 in residential areas and 62 in commercial areas. It came down to 58, 63 and 70 in 2011 with only commercial areas becoming more prone to sound pollution. Likewise, in 2012, it stood at 56, 62 and 71 in sensitive, residential and commercial areas respectively. However, reasons like movement of heavy traffic during night hours and running of small factories can be attributed to rise in sound pollution in commercial areas.