THIS DIWALI BE ANIMAL FRIENDLY

I wish everyone a very happy and prosperous Diwali festival. 

Diwali or deepavali  is the festival of lights for Hindus. Diwali festival is celebrated for 5 days, ritual pooja is done in the morning and evening time, the house is decorated with lighted lamps and bursting crackers. 

Bursting crackers is not appreciable since it causes adverse effects on the environment. It leads to air pollution and noise pollution. Air quality index in Delhi has crossed 300 this year. The AQI indicates the concentration of particulate matter in the air. Its not just being a cause pollution, crackers are also affecting animals and it's behaviour in various ways.  

A cute little pup from Chikkamagalur, Karnataka

We have a dachshund dog as a pet, we call him 'dickkie'. He is a very playful pet and friendly. He is not so happy to meet strangers and become aggressive at times. He has good time sense and prefers to have his two meals per day on time. Despite these things he is a bit stubborn as it's one of the characteristics of dachshund and not to be surprised for this. He shows a peculiar behaviour during Diwali. He is afraid of cracker sounds and wish not to come out of his hidden places.

When I checked about his behaviour changes during this fest, it surprised me to know that it's not just we who are facing it but most of the pet keepers do. Bursting crackers make the pets anxious, fearful and passive. Especially dogs, both pet dogs and street dogs are affected with this. Dogs can detect the sounds between 67-45000 Hz, above this it causes irritation and discomfort in them. Some of them try to get away from the place. 

Not just pets who are affected with this. Birds, bats, bees and many other animals are. Birds feel stressed and show behavioural changes. The huge noise of crackers affects the vocal communication between them and hence alters, feeding, foraging and reproductive cycles. Their abilities to hear the predators are also disturbed by this. Similar disturbances are noticed even among bats. 

Bursting crackers seems to be fun but when it is showing the adverse effects on the life on this earth then it is not a fun anymore. Every single species on this earth has its rights to exist in this world. Let not any anthropogenic activities hinder them in anyway. So let's bring the change in us. As Diwali is the festival to bring in something new eliminating evil. Let's celebrate the festival without crackers. Have a safe Diwali and don't forget to practice, the Diwali which is eco-friendly and animal-friendly. 

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