INTRODUCTION:

The environment is the natural world which is made by living beings (people, animals, and plants)
and land. Therefore it is the surroundings that affect the behavior and development of a living
being or a thing. The surroundings may be living factors like plants, animals and decomposers and
non-living things like air, water, light, soil, etc.

Human beings are the product of the environment. They are an important factor in the
environment. It is the environment that helps us in our survival, growth, development,
reproduction, and health. No creature’s existence is possible without the balance of the natural
elements. Thus, there must be a healthy environment for our sound living. The healthier the
environment the happier the living beings including humans.

However, knowing that the environment should be clean, healthy and non-polluted, the large-scale
celebration of various festivals have degraded the quality of the environment.

The practice of immersion of Ganesh idols after the Ganesh festival in various cities is causing
severe water pollution which leads to the death of tonnes of fish and many aquatic creatures.

The immersion of Durga Statutes during the Durga pooja is also a cause of concern for
environmentalists. In Orissa alone 5,000 Durga pooja idols are made, most of them using harmful
paints.
Diwali, one of the important festivals in India has the distinction of polluting the environment to
the core. Newborns and aged people have a nightmarish experience because of the high levels of
sound caused by crackers during Diwali. Noise pollution on Diwali is between 69.7 dB and 88.3
dB which are higher than the prescribed limit of 50 dB. The decibel levels alarmingly high in
metros and it may reach up to 100 dB.

The government, police, pollution control boards are suggesting many alternative ways to
celebrate festivals which do not pollute the environment. Even strict and stringent warnings are
also given to the public to refrain from bursting crackers such as atom bombs, hydrogen bombs,
bullet bombs, thousand and ten thousand walls. But it all solely depends on the “change of mind”.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES :

The project aims to understand and raise awareness about the bad effects of various festivals on
the environment and help us know how it degrades the environment and also how can we reduce
its ill effects on the environment.

To learn how to reduce Pollution in our environment that is caused due to festivals
To start using eco-friendly products to pave way for a healthier and more sustainable environment.
To learn how different festivals have a bad impact on our environment
To learn what can be done to reduce pollution in our environment
To learn that festivals can be celebrated without polluting our environment
METHOD AND METHODOLOGY :
In this project, we are going to learn about how does stock market works by collecting data
through different sources like the Internet, Books, Presentations, Online Seminars, Newspapers,
Youtube and much more.

Primary Data:
Primary data is data gathered for the first time by the researcher. It is the raw form of data and
thoroughly studied and hence a helpful tool for secondary data. Here the method used for the
collection of primary data is Web analytics Technique.

I will be using sources for This project. Since this is a historical method. Many things are already
been deeply explained. I will simply contribute to their work and use it on my project by giving
them proper rights. Since the Stock market is a trending topic for people who do it for a living.
There are tons of articles on What are the effects of festivals on the environment. What harmful
effects of festivals that humans and animals have to face. How to cope with this problem and get
them under control?

DETAIL REPORT OF PROJECT :

Diwali:
Air pollution during Diwali

Clearly environmental groups and eco-clubs are fighting a losing battle. They come up with
awareness campaigns and slogans like “Diwali is a festival of lights, not crackers”, “celebrate an
eco-sensitive Diwali this year”, but nobody seems to take notice. Apart from the noise, crackers
release a lot of toxic gases like Sulfur dioxide and Nitrogen dioxide which can lead to many health
problems.

Impact of air pollution on health

Air pollution can lead to lung cancer, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, and
allergies in adults. It can also cause acute respiratory infections in children. Suspended particulate
matter can cause asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory diseases

Ganesh Chaturthi/Durga Pooja:

Durga Puja is one of the auspicious occasion celebrated with great enthusiasm across India. In
modern times, festivals are getting commercialized and taking the shape of pomp and show.
Different communities set huge gigantic and attractive bright idols in order to compete with other
communities. This all leads to the major problem of environmental pollution. Idols made from
nonbiodegradable material and toxic paints contaminate water making it unfit for the survival of
aquatic life and drinking purposes.

The material used for idols like POP is mainly the compound of gypsum, sulfur, phosphorus, and
magnesium. Chemical paints comprise of mercury, cadmium; lead and carbon. Immersion of idols
with such poisonous and toxic elements raises the level of acidity, solid matter, organic matter, and
heavy metals in water bodies. These materials don’t dissolve readily and lower the oxygen level in
water adversely affecting the aquatic life.

Here are the results of a scientific study done on a body of water in Andhra Pradesh, the
Hussainsagar Lake. After examining the water before and after immersion the scientists found that
the concentration of substances like calcium, magnesium, molybdenum and silicon concentrations
increased significantly. Also, it was found that concentrations of heavy metals like arsenic, lead
and mercury had increased. Metals like lead and mercury are particularly worrisome as they are
dangerous to health and can damage the heart, kidneys, liver, circulatory system and central
nervous system.

Besides polluting the water, they reach humans via the food chain, when humans consume fish
and other sea-food. If the fish survive that is! Because hundreds of fish are found dead after the
immersions.

ANALYSIS OF DATA :
Anant Chaturthi the culmination of a ten-day long Ganesh Festival, one of the most important
festivals of western India. It was a day of great joyousness and celebration…but it has an ugly
side. The environmental damage it causes. Thousands of idols made from harmful materials like
plaster of Paris and toxic metals, coated with deadly paints containing mercury, cadmium, lead,
and carbon enters our water bodies. These idols, some of them gigantic in size, are immersed in
lakes, rivers, and the sea. These lead to why the lakes receive more water from sewage than the
natural flow.

Just Mumbai’s sea takes in about 1.5 lakh (1 lakh = 100,000) idols every year! Is it any wonder
then oxygen levels in the water bodies fall by about 50 percent immediately after the 10-day
Ganeshutsav festival?

While we discuss this topic lets not forget about Diwali. Every year thousands of firecrackers are
burst in Diwali which causes pollution in the environment. Here are a few of the effects of it on
humans.

Sulfur dioxide can damage the lungs and lead to lung disorders like wheezing and shortness of
breath.
Oxides of Nitrogen can cause skin problems, eye irritation, and cause respiratory problems in
children.
Chemicals used in crackers like lead, magnesium, cadmium, nitrate, sodium, and others can have
various harmful effects.
CONCLUSION :
Since everyone can see that festival are a religious thing but at the same time, no one thinks about
what harmful effect it has on our environment if we don’t perform it properly. Bursting
firecrackers on Diwali, Submerging Idols on Ganesh Chaturthi etc are clearly polluting our air and
water. Thus my project covers the points that have a harmful impact on our environment.

This project discussed two different festivals and their effects on our environment. This could be
really upsetting because if the water is polluted then there is a high risk for fish and humans
because of poisonous elements present in polluted water.this can causes fishes to die and humans
to be severely ill. While air pollution can cause respiration problems. Therefore this project talks
about the harmful effects of festivals on the environment and thus one should learn not to pollute
one’s environment and live a healthy life

DISCUSSION :
After discussing what could be the solutions for reducing pollution during festivals we have come
to know about various remedies which I will be listed below

Instead of individual celebration prefer community celebration. This will ensure the reduced cost
of celebration; paper pollution in a limited space and as compared to the individual celebration, a
community celebration will cause less air and noise pollution.
Even while celebrating commonly make sure that you limit your celebration for a limited period
of time. Your celebration can last for a maximum of 3 to 4 hours.
Instead of selecting traditional chemical cracker this Diwali goes for eco-friendly Diwali crackers.
Eco-friendly crackers are made up of recycled paper and the sound produced by these crackers is
under the decibel limit defined by the Pollution Board. These crackers produce paper fluffers and
different color lights instead of sound on bursting.
Instead of electric illumination go for traditional lightening of earthen lamps or diyas. This will
not only enhance the beauty of your house but will also cut down the enormous electric
consumption. Though earthen lamps need oil the quantity is less and it gives light for at least 3-4
hours.
Cut down your shopping list and avoid purchasing unwanted and unnecessary things this Diwali.
Excess consumerism is directly related to the consumption of raw material used to manufacture
those things. Excessive consumerism increases the undue pressure on natural resources.
Instead of buying “one-time use” items go for recyclable things. Secondly while cleaning your
home, instead of disposing of things it is better to give it to underprivileged people.
YOUR OPINION/ SUGGESTION :
Our country India is a very big country and every day of a year is a festival and it can be
celebrated here with great joy and happiness.“India a country Where Every day Is A
Celebration.”Every festival takes an important part in the life of different peoples from different
communities of India. There are many festivals can be celebrated on different religious occasions.
Indian Festivals are celebrated across the world because the Indian people are everywhere in the
world.
But this doesn’t mean that we should pollute the environment due to festivals. As you know mud
idols and natural colors were used to make Ganesh idols as per the customs. These polluting idols
are the modern invention and nothing to do with religion. If people don’t listen, Then we need the
laws. The problem is that politicians don’t want to take tough action as they are afraid of upsetting
the public as this is a religious issue. But I think it isn’t.