Deafening sound, dazzling lights and fireworks may enthral us but the festival of lights is no less than a nightmare for birds. With each passing year, the quantum of air pollution from fireworks is increasing manifold during Diwali. And the winged species always remain at the receiving end. Every year several birds get killed after being hit by the sky crackers.
“We receive the maximum cases of bird injuries during this Diwali and it has been increasing with every year. last year, at least 20 injury cases were recorded the day after Diwali. While some got burnt on their feathers, in some cases the lower half of the body got burnt,” said a bird specialist of an animal welfare organisation in Shahadara.
Studies have revealed that pollutants from firecrackers like carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide remain suspended in air. They are harmful not only for the asthma and bronchitis patients, but also birds and animals.
“Birds fret on hearing loud music or some exploding sound. It disturbs their frame of mind. Since these birds cannot communicate their fear, they begin to flutter around and stay restless all night,” said VK Paul, a practicing veterinarian.
Animal welfare activists say that high-pitched explosions cause birds to fly away from their night shelters. Owing to ear-cracking sounds, birds leave their nests in the dark of the night and many of them never come back. “We can’t deny the fact that the birds get affected due to fireworks. They do get affected. On the next morning of Diwali, we find that a lot of birds change their track,” said IC Singh, Ring Forest Officer of Okhla Bird Sanctuary. Moreover, when birds don’t return home, their young ones get affected, resulting in death at times.
“Birds are extremely sensitive to sounds. loud and sudden noises leave them terrified. The loud explosions can make them so disoriented that they cannot find their way back home. last year, Animal Rahat, a PETA-supported animal rescue organisation, was called to help a dazed bird who had become confused and frightened by firecrackers and wandered into the traffic.” said Puja Mahajan, bird specialist, PETA.
The pollutants from the fireworks also cause lethal side-effects on the feathered creatures. “Besides frightening, fireworks produce a plume of smoke harmful to animals’ respiratory systems. This Diwali, we urge all that instead of setting off fireworks, light up your house with diyas, lamps and other decorative ornaments that are friendly to all,” Mahajan added.
Birds following a daily routine of waking up early at dawn and lie at rest by dusk. The cracking sound of fireworks throws their life out of gear. For the bird watchers, all the campaigns aimed at making Diwali a silent ones will remain a dream. “From forest officers to schools and NGOs, a host of awareness campaigns are launched every year with a message of “Green and safe Diwali” but in vain. Each year the firecrackers are burst with great joy and fervour much to the discomfort of birds.