2 N D I N T E R N AT I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E O N S U S TA I N A B L E D E V E L O P M E N T G O A L S 3 0 - 3 1 J U LY 2 0 1 9 , P E N A N G M A L A Y S I A
ICSDG2019-90
A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM STUDY ON INDIAN FIRECRACKER I N D U S T R Y A N D A N A LY S I N G S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y G A P S MONICA SASIKUMAR | DESIGN RESEARCHER
RESEARCH DESIGN
Focus on a discrete community / organisation Context-Specific
STUDY ANALYZE
LITERATURE STUDY
ART
I C U L AT I O N
(Involved seeing illegal manufacturing units)
N
(Selected samples particulary in fireworks industry)
Snow bowling sampling
R M U L AT I O
Purposive sampling
RESEARCH
FO
Emperical data
EXPLORATORY ETHNOGRAPHIC
As this research is solely concerned with the lifestyle of people making firecrackers in their natural setting
TO SUPPORT
TRA
NSCRIPT
ION
ANALYSIS
DATA COLLECTION
SAMPLING METHOD
Interviews, Focus meetings, Unstructured Questionnaire, Analysis of diaries, Participant & Non Participant observation SYNTHESIS ANALYZE
DATA ANALYSIS The goal is to formulate/analyse gaps within the firecracker industry using Causal Loop Diagram
FINDINDS/ CONCLUSIONS Suggestions and Recommendations
REPORT
C
TIMELINE OF FIRECRACKERS
SOURCES Bhatia, H. (2001). Political, Legal And War Philosophy In Ancient India. Deep & Deep Publications, 2, p.353. Buchanan, B. (2006). Gunpowder, explosives and the state. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd, p.47. Chandra, S. (2005). Medieval India: From Sultanat to the Mughals Part - II. Har-Anand Publications, p.198. Gode, P. (1953). The history of fireworks in India between A.D. 1400 and 1900. Bangalore: Indian Institute of Culture, pp.12, 16. Roy, K. (2014). Military transition in early modern Asia, 1400-1750. A&C Black, p.19.
INDIAN FIRECRACKER INDUSTRY
Firecrackers in India have been associated with culture, tradition and celebration since ages. The Indian fireworks’ industry boasts annual turnover worth $2.9 billion in 2018 with sales across states decreased by 40% as compared to 2017, providing employment opportunities to over 800,000 families directly or indirectly. Since fireworks have been categorised under restrictive items it faces lot of import/export difficulties.
SIVAKASI - TAMILNADU
300,000
PEOPLE EMPLOYED DIRECTLY
SIVAKASI HAS TIES WITH THE INDIAN ARMY
$870 MILLION ANNUAL TURNOVER
300
WORKING DAYS
500
FIREWORK VARIETIES
200,000 EMPLOYED INDIRECTLY
983
FIREWORK FACTORIES
70% SIVAKASI CONTRIBUTION
FEMALE EMPLOYEES
It customises alternatives to the army’s Ammunition and Ordnance factories. The Military Fuzee matches (developed by the Standard Match Industries) allows militaries to light fuse wires without detection,. Storm proof matches, smoke screens and practice bombs are a few other products
Quality is important so is Quantity
ECONOMIC PILLAR It ensures the business makes profit, but also that business operations don’t create social or environmental issues that would harm the long-term success of the company
ENTRY OF ILLEGAL FIREWORKS
PRICE COMPARISON Potassium nitrate
25
28% GST on the fireworks’ industry is high for an industry having very minimal input credit 51 out of 983 factories with turnover of $217,950 paid central excise duty of 12.5% and 14.5% VAT Post implementation of GST 28% Wide gap in 2% GST between small and large industries 100% tax exemption for units with an annual turnover of $2900 won’t benefit. GST rule of paying compounding tax of 2% for the annual turnover of less than $10,900 also wouldn’t benefit the industry
Potassium chlorate
70
250
Aluminium powder
Moreover, with excise and sales tax added in, the Indian products price around 40% more than Chinese counterparts
f ireworks worth $2.17 billion were smuggled into India each year
FIREWORKS RESTRICTIONS AND EMPLOYEE LIVELIHOOD
Sivakasi firecrackers’ industry had revenue of $870 million in 2016. Retail sales of Sivakasi firecrackers amount to $1.45 billion/year After SC prohibited the sale of crackers the sales had reduced 60%. Stocks to retailers on credit options, executed time slot to burst crackers SC lifted its ban supporting on generating employment, Online sales forbidden, Approval only to ‘Green Crackers‘ Industry will have a cascading effect on the economy of Sivakasi town if the factory remains closed Piece-rate basis (wage based on a number of pieces of crackers), Forced to borrow
ENVIRONMENTAL PILLAR Many of the raw materials used to create fireworks are mined from mountains, a destructive process that cuts down forests and destroys wildlife habitats. Bursting fireworks causes severe air and noise pollution poses serious health hazards. Chemicals and gases like carbon monoxide, nitrogen and sulphur oxides are released during bursting fireworks, being harmful to the overall environment.
EFFICIENCY IS SOMETIMES ACHIEVED AT THE EXPENSE OF ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
BURNING CRACKERS = SMOKING CIGARETTES
LANDFILL
P M 2.5 E M I S S I O N ( I N M C G / M 3 )
POST DIWALI ADDITIONAL 4797 METRIC TONNE GARBAGE
D U RAT I O N I N M I N
64500 3
38540
6
10390 2 3 3 5
28950 4860 9490
Snake Garland Sparklers Twinkling star Flower pot Ground chakra
464 277 208
WAS COLLECTED MORE THAN THE PREVIOUS MONTH, THUS RESULTING IN LANDFILLS BEING LEFT UNTREATED AND UNSEPARATED TRAPPING HIGHLY COMBUSTIBLE AND TOXIC METHANE GAS
74 68 34
Date source : A 2016 Study by Chest ResearCh Foundation , University of Pune
INDIA BUDGET 2019: ENVIRONMENT MINISTRY GETS $428 MILLION | $66 MILLION FOR POLLUTION CONTROL SCHEMES INCLUDING NATIONAL CLEAN AIR PROGRAMME (NCAP) WITH A VISION FOR “POLLUTION-FREE INDIA”
Date source : The Economic Times, July 05 2019
Image source : Viewspaper
Oct 31, 2018
OCT 30 - NOV 1, 2018
The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on the Suomi NPP satellite captured a natural-color image on the afternoon of October 31, 2018. The map (second image) shows the locations of fires detected by VIIRS during a 48-hour period from October 30 to November 1
Source : earthobservatory
Average change in levels of PM2.5
According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), respirable pollutants, PM 2.5 and PM 10 rose by 42 times and PM2.5 readings rose by 12.5 times
Famous for its air pollution, Delhi saw air quality improve 5% over 2017. The analysis uses over 175,000 hourly air quality data points from the US Embassy and consulates in five major Indian cities.
(Source : Indiatimes, 2016)
(Source : SmartAir)
Four days before and five days after Diwali
Percentage
Avg. AQI accross monitoring stations in Delhi on Diwali
326 VERY POOR 19 OCT 2017
30 OCT 2016
11 NOV 2015
426 SEVERE
A recent study says there is a "small but statistically significant" effect from Diwali fireworks.
327 VERY POOR
THE DAY AFTER DIWALI
University of Minnesota August 2018
PM2.5 POLLUTION IN MAJOR CITIES 2015-2018 Delhi
Kolkata
Mumbai
Chennai
Hyderabad
WHO Annual Limit
Color = AQI
Data source : US Embassy and Consulates
Analysis : Smart Air (smartairfilters.com)
HOW FIREWORKS KILLS Chemical composition of commonly available fireworks, their role and physiological effects
EXPOSURE TO NOISE AND EFFECTS Ears getting exposed to sudden high-intensity sound (120lb), the inner and middle ear get permanently damaged. Such NIHL commonly results from explosives gunfire and firecrackers.
Data source : Down to earth, earthr.org
SOCIAL PILLAR Refers to public policies that support social issues. These relate to the people’s well-being including aspects like healthcare, education, housing, employment, etc. It ensures that individuals have access to social services, do not suffer through lack of knowledge of their rights and exercise SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY.
WORKING CONDITIONS 1.
Soap for washing after working with chemicals. Per day 4 pieces are given per person
2.
The chemical mixture catches fire if allowed to dry and the workers have to ensure that it remains wet
3.
Lack of canteen facilities inside the factory
4.
Asthma, and TB are prevalent among employees
1
2
3
4
who are are directly in contact with the chemical like sulphur, aluminum and gunpowder filling 5.
The unused chemical mixture not been disposed properly
6.
Company is equipped with sand and water buckets on
5
every row of the sheds 7.
Few crackers are dried in proper area and some are
6
outside the alloted space 8.
3 mm Rubber sheet was placed on the floor of every shed in the factory to stop the fire spreading outside the room.
9.
Unused/defective papers are left untreated within the factory premises
7
8
9
INDUSTRY ANALYSIS
Employees complain
Lack of Facilities such as day
wearing gloves as it delays
care, recreation, schools and
making the intricate fillings
In a desperate attempt to meet
sports centre for their children
As many as 15 villages with
the demand, Sivakasi fireworks’
unlicensed units manufactures half
industry have been experimenting
the fireworks produced by 630
new processes and chemical
licensed factories
combinations
Only a smaller fraction in 70% of the labor cost directly involved
Several workers had quit their jobs
in firework, a larger portion is
after learning the making process
concerned with paper tube making,
to start illegal manufacturing.
wire cutting, box making.
WOMEN’S STATUS IN FIREWORK INDUSTRY
Problems faced by women in fireworks’ industries are classified under five heads Socio-economic problems Unequal distribution of economic funds Health and work life balance Safety problems Sexual harassment problems
To overcome the issues, discriminatory laws need a change and legislation to proactively advance equality. Furthermore, management should support them by increasing the wages of female workers, regularising workplace security, providing healthcare centres inside factory premises and encouraging them to express their grievances without hesitation.
V
SAFETY PROJECTS THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FIREWORKS’ INDUSTRY STEMS FROM ADOPTING LATEST TECHNOLOGY AND EFFECTIVE UTILISATION OF THE OPPORTUNITIES OF ITS MACRO ENVIRONMENT
S
SWAS SAFE WATER AND AIR SPRINKLERS Eliminates use of potassium nitrate and sulphur Produces water molecules that acts as a dust suppressants
THE FUTURE GREEN CRACKERS
Reduces PM emissions by 30-35%
STAR SAFE THERMITE Eliminates use of potassium nitrate and sulphur
Firecrackers developed by CSIR-NEERI scientists that have less dangerous and less harmful chemical than the conventional ones, eliminating the use of ash as
Reduces PM emission by 35-40%
desiccants. Expected to hit the market in
Significantly reduces SO2 and NOx
2019, production after approval from the
emissions
SAFAL SAFE MINIMAL ALUMINIUM Minimal use of aluminum Reduces PM by 35-40%
PESO. All three have sound intensity (105110 db(A))
China-made e-crackers being sold in Delhi’s Chandichowk area
XINHUA
E-CRACKERS BEING DEVELOPED BY CSIR’S CENTRAL ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING RESEARCH INSTITUTE CAN REDUCE PM BY 40% ECO-FRIENDLY - NO HARMFUL CHEMICALS ARE BURNT, AND THERE IS NO SMOKE
THEECONOMICTIMES
THETIMESOFINDIA
E-CRACKERS MAY BE CLEAN, BUT THEY DON’T COME CHEAP
They run on electricity and can be operated with a remote control.
Chinese e-crackers available online for usd 72
ISRO AND IIT MADRAS H E L P T R A N S F O R M S I VA K A S I F R O M A FIRECRACKER HUB TO AN EXPLOSIVES AND PROPELLANT INDUSTRIAL BASE
The IIT Madras is the only educational institute that carries out cutting-edge research in the field of explosives and propellants. The expected number of launches from ISRO is going to increase, requires 100-425 tons of composite propellant costing around $115/ kg. Indian firecracker system with a thriving economy need a revival from factories being shut and people getting unemployed
Source : The print | 23 July 2019
CAUSAL LOOP A N A LY S I S By linking together several loops, one can create a concise story about a particular problem or issue
CLD is a qualitative method for visualizing how different variables in a system are interrelated and how they influence each other to create system dynamics
By representing a problem or issue from a causal perspective, more awareness of the structural forces that produce puzzling behavior.
IDENTIFIED GAP Awareness towards environmental quality Firecracker industry’s goal is to provide safety more than just entertainment. They must pay attention to what they producing and its aftermath which many companies fails to follow. They must ensure that their business is not vulnerable to disruptions caused by environmental problems which might affect over all environment
Achieving socially acceptable standard of living Quality of work life (QWL) is a concept, focusing on employee as a person rather than just the work done by him/her. Many people are working below minimum income standard in these factories, a huge number of people lost their lives in fire accidents. Knowledge is an important way to share ideas and foster innovation
Research and Development towards The firework industry is thriving to bring-in machineries that overcomes labor shortage, yields high productivity and achieves zero accidents.
INDUSTRY TREND With the slowdown in world economic growth, the fireworks’ industry has also suffered a certain impact, but still maintained a relatively optimistic growth. The worldwide market for fireworks is expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of roughly 4.0% over the next five years, will reach 2680 million US$ in 2024, from 2200 million US$ in 2019, according to GIR (Global Info Research) study.
SOURCES OrbisResearch(2019).GlobalFireworksMarket2019byManufacturers,Regions, Type and Application, Forecast to 2024. Global Info Research, p.22.
CONCLUSION
THE CELEBRATIONS ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE MARRED BY CHEMICALS, AND AN EVER-EXPANDING CARBON FOOTPRINT.
Source : Timemagazine
The world of pyrotechnics has continued to undergo significant changes, primarily driven by the safety of personal working in manufacturing and communities Placing restrictions on the materials used in energetic mixtures, mandating training programs, initiating actions such as OSHA’s safety management standard intended to eliminate accidents EVEN AFTER PRACTICING A LOT TO REDUCE OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT, IT BECOMES D I F F I C U LT ACHIEVING ZERO
Fireworks activities have been increasing every year and pollutants are generated at their increased levels for short duration Source : Downtoearth.org
Pollution and modern living seemingly go hand-in-hand, but the costs of air pollution can no longer be ignored
THINK BEFORE YOU BURST ANOTHER CRACKER