As part of its eco-friendly Diwali drive, the BMC has planned a big plantation programme at parks across the city on Tuesday. Housing and urban development minister Pushpendra Singhdeo is scheduled to attend the event, official sources said.

BMC commissioner Krishan Kumar said, "Enjoy the festival, but not at the cost of the environment." As per plan, the BMC will plant 500 saplings at Kharavel Park at Unit-III, 300 saplings at Madhusudan Park and 100 each at Kelucharan Park and Buddhajayanti Park of the BMC.

Bhubaneswar mayor A N Jena said they are continuously campaigning to make the capital city smart. The drive is the outcome of an idea suggested by people during a citizen connect initiative of the Smart City project. "Our motive is to celebrate a green Diwali this year," he said.

Jena said the BMC had recently mobilized the people of the city to use earthen lamps instead of bursting crackers on Diwali. "With a mission to create awareness to stop pollution during the celebration, we want others to join with us in the plantation drive," he added.

In 2005, the Supreme Court had directed the Centre to ban sound-emitting firecrackers between 10pm and 6am. "The commissionerate police should keep a lookout for this violation and crackdown on the people who burst crackers between these hours," said Ranjit Samal, a resident of the Nayapalli area, adding, "We should show our concern for the environment by lighting earthen lamps."

Some social and political organization including BJP are also advocating the use of earthen lamps and asking people to refrain from bursting of crackers during Diwali. "Say no to crackers and light diyas in your home," appealed BJP state vice-president Pruthviraj Harichandan.

Utkal University vice-chancellor and noted scientist Ashok Das said Diwali is a festival of light, not sound. "Crackers not only create noise, but also create air pollution, which is dangerous for all living beings. I wholeheartedly support Green Diwali," he said.