In a significant move to promote environmentally sustainable celebrations, the CSIR–National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) in Nagpur has been officially designated as the National Centre of Excellence on Green Firecrackers (NCoE-GF). The formal inauguration was conducted virtually on Tuesday by Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, the Director General of CSIR and Secretary of the Council.
A Dual Launch for a Greener Future
Simultaneously, a Centre of Excellence on Green Firecrackers (CoE-GF) was inaugurated at the CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CECRI) in Karaikudi. This dual launch establishes a robust national framework for research and development in the green firecracker sector. The virtual event saw participation from senior officials across the CSIR network, underscoring the initiative's importance.
Key figures in attendance included Dr. S. Venkata Mohan, Director of CSIR-NEERI; Dr. K. Ramesha, Director of CSIR-CECRI; Dr. P. Thanikaivelan, Director of CSIR-CLRI; former CSIR-CLRI director Dr. KJ Sreeram; TANFAMA president Ganesan; and chief scientists from NEERI.
Balancing Tradition and Environmental Responsibility
In her address, Dr. N. Kalaiselvi congratulated the teams at NEERI and CECRI. She emphasized that green firecracker research symbolizes a crucial balance between cultural tradition and environmental responsibility. Dr. Kalaiselvi revealed that the initiative was first conceptualized during her tenure at CSIR-CECRI.
She highlighted the national role bestowed upon CSIR-NEERI following a recent Supreme Court direction, which mandates the Nagpur institute to certify green firecrackers. With the economy of Sivakasi heavily dependent on the firecracker industry, these new centres are expected to ensure the development of safer, more cost-effective products and a faster certification process, granting CSIR-NEERI distinct national recognition.
Ambitious Targets and Technological Integration
Dr. Kalaiselvi set an ambitious target for scientists, urging them to develop at least six new green firecracker formulations by the next year. She also called for innovation beyond traditional formats, advocating for the creation of AI and Machine Learning-enabled programmable crackers that can be customized for diverse celebrations.
She stressed that this is the opportune moment for NEERI, as the national hub, to intensify collaboration with CECRI and other CSIR laboratories to disseminate green firecracker technologies across India.
Outlining the roadmap, Dr. S. Venkata Mohan detailed NEERI's ongoing work with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and various manufacturer associations to develop both basic and applied research solutions for the fireworks sector. He explained that the NCoE-GF and CoE-GF will operate on a hub-and-spoke model, designed to strengthen inter-laboratory collaboration and provide comprehensive support to the industry.
This establishment marks a pivotal step towards reducing air and noise pollution during festivals, aligning scientific innovation with public health and India's traditional festive spirit.
