Firecrackers have become a common thing nowadays; in fact, special events are now incomplete without bursting them. Everyone loves the spectacular visions and colours in the sky. Moreover, the bangs and fizzes it creates are loved by people. However, all this show is only stunning to look at. The impact it has on the environment and the health of the people is worrisome.
Firecrackers have a major impact on the quality of life of living beings as well as the environment. It contributes largely to air pollution. The fireworks in the air release great amounts of toxins in the air. It worsens the air quality and makes it toxic as well as full of smog.
Most importantly, the bursting of firecrackers is very dangerous to birds and animals. It is a big torture to them as they have sensitive hearing. The loud levels of noise also cause deafness in some of the animals. The continuous sounds and noises of the firecrackers are enough to scare them. The pets at least have the option to hide in their homes, the stray animals have nowhere to go during this time.
Recently, hundreds of birds died after many people burst fireworks to celebrate the new year in the Italian capital, animal rights groups said Friday, calling it a “massacre”.
The footage and pictures from the streets near the main train station and several other locations in Rome showed bodies of hundreds of these little birds. The animal rights groups came forth to call it a massacre and blamed it on the fireworks.
Though the cause of their death was not apparent, the International Organisation for the Protection of Animals (OIPA) said that it was related to the loud display of fireworks in the leafy locality of the city where the birds roosted.
A spokesperson said that the birds could have died from getting knocked against each other or hit the electric lines and windows out of fear.
“It can be that they died from fear. They can fly up together and knock against each other, or hit windows or electric power lines. Let’s not forget they can also die of heart attacks,” said Loredana Diglio, a spokeswoman for the organization.
The fireworks burst to celebrate the new year caused distress and harm to both domestic and wild animals every year, Diglio added.
The local administration had implemented a city-wide ban on the use of firecrackers and imposed a curfew at 10 pm on December 31 for the protection of animals, people, and property. It went ignored as many people still came out to use fireworks for their celebration.
The videos and photos shared on social media attracted a lot of people to criticise the incident.
The local branch of the OIPA in Rome declared a ban on the use of fireworks and firecrackers, saying that they could be dangerous to animals.
