Order by West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) on firecrackers, 9 October 2013
This is the order issued by West Bengal State Pollution Control Board on controlling noise pollution due to fire crackers. It says that the maximum permissible noise level of the firecrackers at the time of bursting within the State of West Bengal must not exceed 90 dB(A) impulse noise at five meters from the source. Whereas the Hon'ble National Green Tribunal, by consent of the parties, clubbed together five Appeals, name Appeal No. 43 (Thc)/2013, Appeal No.44 (Thc)/2013, Appeal No.45 (Thc)/2013, Appeal No.52 (Thc)/2013 and Appeal No.53 (Thc)/2013, filed by the manufacturers/traders of firecrackers and disposed of the matter by a common judgement dated 21-08-2013 inter-alia holding that the West Bengal Pollution Control Board is required to amend the order dated 03.10.1997 and reconcile the same in keeping with the Ministry of Environment and Forest Notification dated 05.10.1999 within one month, while giving the West Bengal Pollution Control Board "liberty to take independent decision in accordance with the powers available under the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 in consultation with the CPCB if the reduction of the noise level emanating from firecrackers is found necessary for certain specific reasons, having regard to the recipient quality thereof".