THE failure of the authorities to enforce the ban that they imposed on fireworks, crackers and sky lanterns in New Year celebrations is unacceptable. The city police on December 31 issued 10 instructions to keep law and order and ensure public safety in Dhaka on New Year鈥檚 Eve and in New Year鈥檚 celebrations. The instructions included a prohibition on the use of fireworks, crackers and sky lanterns in the metropolitan area. But the instruction was largely ignored and the Dhaka sky was covered with fireworks, crackers and sky lanterns from early hours of December 31 until small hours of January 1. The imprudent and careless use of fireworks, crackers and sky lanterns resulted in the injury of a number of people, a number of fires and the death of hundreds of birds. At least five people are reported to have sustained burn injuries in different parts of the city. A victim had to be admitted to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery while the others received first aid in the hospital. Besides, a few fires were reported at Mirpur and Dhanmondi.
Complaints of sound and light pollution, meanwhile, came aplenty. The national emergency helpline received, as a release of the national emergency helpline authorities on January 1 said, a whopping 1,185 calls from across the country reporting noise pollution from loud music, fireworks and other sources during celebration hours. Of the calls, 387 complaints came from residents of the Dhaka city alone. Besides, dozens of people complained of sound and light pollution on social media and that when they informed the law enforcement agencies, they received no proper response. A resident of Mohammadpur in Dhaka said that his child trembled at each explosion of crackers and eventually fell sick. In 2021, reports of a toddler traumatised to death made the headlines. Reports of elderly people falling sick because of it also came aplenty. Sound and light pollution also killed hundreds of birds. In fact, every year after New Year celebrations, corpses of hundreds of birds are found under trees and on roads. Fireworks also pose a major threat to the environment and wildlife as fireworks usually contain charcoal and sulphur that turn into sulphur dioxide, which can damage the lungs. Sulphur also has adverse effects on the environment.
As cities, especially Dhaka, are densely populated, fireworks and lanterns are highly dangerous for the safety and security. The authorities, therefore, need to be stringent about enforcing the ban on fireworks, crackers and sky lanterns. The authorities need to stop businesses from selling fireworks, crackers and lanterns. People, especially the young, who celebrate New Year should also show concern for the safety and security.