Indian firework industry-Sustainability analysis

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