Crackers may be a part and parcel of Diwali festivities but for animals and birds, they can be a source of great physical and mental stress. According to last year’s statistics, NGOs came to know of as many as 21 cases where birds and animals had gone missing during the festival. More specifically, one sparrow, nine pigeons, four crows, three pond herons and three dogs went missing while one dog was injured last year.
So much so, this year, NGOs have appealed to the BMC and government to take steps to protect birds and stray dogs from crackers. Wildlife Biologist Nitin Walmiki said, “We have launched an awareness campaign in the city. We have informed kids not to burst crackers in areas where dogs are sitting as it scares them. We have informed kids not to fire rockets near trees as they can be harmful to birds sitting on the trees.”
According to wildlife experts, high decibel crackers cause a lot of pain and stress in dogs and other animals as well as birds. Stray animals run towards roads or highways, coming in the path of moving vehicles, leading to accidents. Pet dogs run away due to fear of crackers and often meet with fatal accidents. Birds too get injured when crackers are burst under trees where they are nesting. Further, leftovers of crackers are poisonous and stray animals tend to chew on these with the sharp metal causing serious injuries.
The Plant & Animals Welfare Society (PAWS), Mumbai, has written a letter to the municipal corporations of Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane to create awareness about protection of domesticated and stray animals and birds this Diwali. PAWS, Mumbai has also launched a poster to create awareness which is being circulated through the community site.
Speaking about the initiative, secretary of PAWS, Sunish Subramanian Kunju, said, “In our letter to Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane and Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporations, we have brought to their notice that every year, many domesticated and stray animals and birds go through immense stress due to noise pollution caused by crackers during Diwali celebrations. There is a need to create awareness among the public to celebrate this Diwali with noise-free crackers.”
