The Impact of Banning Traditional Crackers on Sivakasi's Fireworks Industry

Sivakasi, a village in Tamil Nadu, transformed into the hub for firecracker manufacturing in India. However, a Supreme Court ban on fireworks with harmful chemicals like barium salts has affected the industry. The court allowed the production of green crackers instead, but manufacturers faced challenges in meeting the new standards and suffered production losses. The lack of financial support, longer production time, and the COVID-19 pandemic further impacted the industry. The rise of illegal firecracker units and the influx of Chinese products have also hindered the market. Regulation and central government support are necessary to ensure the industry's survival and the livelihoods of those involved.