This Diwali, spare a thought for the birds, animals and plants around you and steer clear of firecrackers that traumatise other beings and pollute the atmosphere
Diwali is a just day away and this is a scary time for owls, who ironically serve as the vahan or chariot of Goddess lakshmi, and other animals and plants. If we start with the owls, this is time when they are killed in hordes in the name of black magic, superstition and taboos. Also, it is no secret that there are communities in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh which are involved in the illegal trade of owls. In a 2010 report, Imperiled Custodians of the Night — A Study of the Illegal Trade, Trapping and Utilisation of Owls in India, prepared TRAFFIC India and WWF-India, it is said that the owl is a highly endangered species. Hunting of and trade in all Indian owl species is banned under The Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972.
While the exact number of owls traded each year countrywide is unknown, it certainly runs into thousands. There are anecdotal reports of owls becoming rare throughout India due to loss of suitable habitat especially old growth forests. Owls play a beneficial and vital role in the ecosystem, particularly to farmers through their predation of rodents and other crop pests.
Investigations have recorded 15 owl species being traded including the Spotted Owlet, the Barn Owl, the Rock-Eagle Owl, the Jungle Owlet, the Collared Scops-owl, the Brown Fish-owl, the Dusky Eagle-owl, the Mottled Wood-owl, the Asian Barred Owlet, the Collared Owlet, the Brown Wood-owl, the Oriental Scops-owl, the Spot-bellied Eagle-owl, the Tawny Fish-owl and the Eastern Grass-owl.
Moving away from owls, the use of crackers during Diwali also terrifies animals, as they have a highly sensitive sense of hearing. Experts urge pet owners to be careful during this time of the year and to keep the animals in a closed, comfortable area at home, with food and water. They also ask members of pet-owning famiiles to take turns keeping the pet company. Some pets go missing during this time as they run away upon hearing the unusually loud noises while homeless animals face the risk of severe injuries from firecrackers that are burst on the roads.
Animals that live on the street are not in a position to find a quiet place to rest or nurse their litters. Animals are traumatised by the harsh side-effects of human festivals every year, particularly from the use of firecrackers. Burns are the number one injuries suffered by most animals. In addition, smoke causes irritation and infections, adding to the discomfort, particularly among strays.
Post-Diwali, many plants never recover from the attack of toxic gases. One needs to take prior measures to protect one’s garden. While the smoke from fireworks consists mainly of fine toxic dust that can easily enter the lungs, it also damages all kinds of plants. Smoke from fireworks combustion may contain a mixture of sulfur-coal compounds, traces of heavy metals, and other toxic chemicals or gases.
What are the safeguards that one can take to protect the house gardenIJ The first and foremost measure one ought to take is to avoid cracker-bursting and also impress one’s neighbours to do so. If you and your neighbours do not celebrate Diwali with crackers, it will go a long way in contributing to a clean and pollution-free atmosphere. Naturally, if crackers do not emit deadly gases, then the plants and the garden remain cool and nice. “As a town planner and architect, I always caution people to safeguard their plants, as Diwali night can be deadly,” says Mr Deepak Mehta, a noted Delhi-based architect. The gardens are all the more in danger, since many fireworks are imported from China where manufactuers are known to cut corners by using cheaper and more toxic materials.