India court bans firecrackers in cities ahead of Diwali

India's environmental yesterday court ordered a ban on firecrackers during the country's biggest annual festival in cities battling hazardously poor air quality, citing a link between pollution and a coronavirus surge. The National Green Tribunal said the role of pollution in the Covid-19 crisis meant that the ban was needed ahead of Diwali celebrations on Saturday. Traditionally, millions of firecrackers are set off during Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Light, but the practice has been blamed for worsening air pollution -- especially in northern India which suffers from serious smog every winter. The court said a general ban in all cities with rising air pollution should last until November 30. India has the second-highest number of coronavirus infections in the world, and experts have raised concerns about air pollution worsening the symptoms of respiratory illnesses such as Covid-19.