India, Nov. 9 -- National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday pronounced a total ban against sale or use of all kinds of firecrackers in Delhi NCR from midnight today till November 30.

In its order, NGT has ordered a ban on firecrackers in places where air quality is in 'poor' and 'above' category across India in a bid to protect people from the air pollution amid ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The order further stated that the cities/towns where air quality is 'moderate' or below, only green crackers be sold and the timings for use and bursting of crackers be restricted to two hours during festivals, like Diwali, Chatt, New Year/Christmas Eve etc., as may be specified by the concerned State, added NGT.

As the COVID-19 situation is worsening in...