Along with the festival of Tihar, a unique atmosphere of light, sound, and excitement spreads across Nepali society. The lamps lit during the festival, the smoke from firecrackers, the waste left from fireworks, and the waste from feast items all of these become a heavier burden on our environmental system than the daily waste.
This festival is not just about the beauty of light and the joy of celebration; it is also a challenge that harms our traditional rituals and natural relationships. However, in the name of development, some of the so-called ‘modern’ practices we have adopted are increasing the pressure on the natural environment, wildlife, and ecosystem that this ancient festival has preserved for ages.
In this year’s Tihar, let us all take a pledge to celebrate this festival in an environmentally conscious manner.
The impact of Tihar on the environment
We all know that the chemicals used in firecrackers, electric lights, and other plastic items during Tihar increase air pollution as suspended particles. From these plastics, harmful gases like Carbon Monoxide (CO), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), and Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) are released into the atmosphere, which can cause human respiratory diseases, skin diseases, and global warming-like long-term problems.
This especially affects children, the elderly, and asthma patients more. Similarly, due to loud noises, there is hearing loss and increased heart rate in birds like sparrows and owls, and sometimes their death can even occur. Another dangerous element is the use of toxic chemicals in fireworks.
The sulfur from fireworks, the leftover wires from fireworks, etc, pollute the environment. These firework residues remain in the environment for years and, mixing into the soil, water, and air, enter the food chain, causing long-term harm to human and animal health.
Similarly, there is unnecessary food waste during the festival season. Many dishes are prepared, but they are thrown away without being eaten, which not only wastes edible food but also increases the amount of waste. All these factors are harming the essence of our festival. We must ask, can we not celebrate Tihar without burning firecrackers? Can we not use the leftover wires from fireworks to express the joy of the festival? The answer is ‘yes’.
Article 30 of Nepal’s Constitution: The right to a clean environment
In this context, we must also remember the constitution of Nepal, promulgated in 2015. Article 30 of the constitution has established ‘the right to a clean environment’ as a fundamental right. According to clause (1) of this article, “Every citizen shall have the right to live in a clean and healthy environment.”
Similarly, clause (2) states—”Every person shall have the right to be compensated, in accordance with law, for any damage caused by environmental pollution or degradation.” But, this constitutional provision is not just for the state; it is for us citizens as well. The constitution has given us the right to live in a clean environment, and therefore, the responsibility to protect it lies with all of us. The traditional practices of the festival itself give us the message not to harm the environment. Protecting it is also the civic duty of every citizen.
The role of the government, non government organisations, and the individual
How is this work accomplished? Can only the government manage this? No. Can only non government organisations lead this campaign? No. The governemnt can make laws, can formulate policies, but the responsibility for their effective implementation lies with the local government and us citizens.
Non government organisations can raise awareness, but to institutionalise it, the work must reach the community and every household. Therefore, neither the government alone can save our environment, nor can non government organizations alone.
Only the coordinated role and cooperation of the government, non government organisations, and the people can keep our environment protected. Our duty is for every citizen to consider themselves as a responsible citizen of the country and to manage their own waste properly.
What can be done?
- Let’s not use firecrackers, fireworks, or other explosive items
This Tihar, let’s celebrate peacefully and joyfully by lighting oil lamps, creating rangoli, singing listening songs, and spending quality time with family without using firecrackers or explosives. The light of a diya does not pollute the environment; instead, it spreads peace and spiritual brightness within our hearts. The Government of Nepal has prohibited the import, sale, and use of firecrackers, fireworks, and other explosive materials.
- Let’s avoid the use of single-use plastics
While buying sweets, choose those packed in cloth bags or paper instead of plastic or foam boxes. For decoration, use natural materials such as paper, cloth, or bamboo instead of plastic. Let’s make it a habit to carry our own cloth bag while shopping.
- Give priority to local products
During Tihar, there is a high consumption of goods like marigolds, flowers, and other ritual items. This year, let us prioritize local products. Let’s use mustard oil lamps, locally produced sweets, local oil, ‘sel-roti’, local fruits and flowers. Similarly, let’s promote the use of local fireworks like ‘phulpati’, ‘chata’, ‘angena’, and other local instruments and folk songs. This keeps the money within the country and strengthens the local economy.
- Be mindful in eating
Let’s not cook more food than necessary. Let’s adopt the practice of serving food in a plate and finish the food to avoid waste. Let’s preserve leftover food properly and use it later. Remember—wasting food is not just a sin, it is also a crime.
- Manage ritual waste properly
During Tihar, it’s not just about cleaning the house and surroundings; we also have the responsibility to manage the waste from offerings, garlands, flowers, and communal feasts. Let’s make it a habit to dispose of the leftover offerings, or other waste in the right place. Public awareness campaigns for cleanliness can be organized.
- Waste Management
Let’s make it a habit to separate the waste generated after the festival. Let’s separate biodegradable waste (vegetable, fruit, and leftover food, etc) and non-biodegradable waste (plastic, glass, paper, metal etc) and manage them in their respective places. Leaves, flowers, and other biodegradable items can be used to make compost manure.
- Promote traditional materials
Let’s reduce the plastic glamour we use to decorate our Tihar. Let’s promote mustard oil lamps, ‘bel’ leaves, traditional materials for rangoli, traditional materials like ‘diyo’, ‘lwati’ for worship, local food items, and ‘sel-roti’. This also preserves our culture.
- Respect nature
Tihar is a festival that includes festivals like ‘Kag Tihar’ (Crow Festival), ‘Kukur Tihar’ (Dog Festival), ‘Gai Tihar’ (Cow Festival), and ‘Laxmi Puja’, which recognize the importance of nature and biodiversity. Therefore, let’s offer grains to the crows, give ‘sel-roti’ to the dogs. Only then will the commercial and spiritual aspects of our festival coexist.
Tihar is a festival of light, happiness, and prosperity, which inspires us to move forward by winning over the dark aspects of life. This important occasion is not only for our social culture but also useful for the protection of global ecology.
Come, let us all together celebrate this festival as an eco-friendly, local product-promoting, and responsible citizen. Let’s not only clean our homes but also ensure a bright environment for the surroundings.
Let’s not only the light of the oil lamp, but also our awareness and responsible actions make this occasion bright, sustainable, and pollution-free. A small effort can bring about a big change. Let’s all be determined to make this Tihar traditional, simple, and eco-friendly.
