Smog Set To Linger As Greens Call for Eco-Friendly Bhogi

Chennai: Every year, the celebration of Bhogi Day, which marks the beginning of the Pongal festival, brings with it a familiar but increasingly controversial sight across Tamil Nadu and parts of South India — the burning of old clothes, household items, and agricultural waste in large bonfires. While traditionally viewed as a symbolic act of discarding the old to welcome new beginnings, environmentalists and public health experts warn that the practice has now become a serious environmental and health hazard.

On Bhogi morning, thick smoke and smog blanket several cities and rural areas, reducing visibility and polluting the air. The situation often resembles dense fog, leading to traffic snarls and flight disruptions. In previous years, airport authorities and airlines have reported delays and cancellations due to poor visibility caused by Bhogi-related smoke, while commuters on highways and city roads face increased risk of accidents.

Experts point out that the nature of materials burnt today has drastically changed from the past. “Earlier, people burnt biodegradable materials such as old cotton clothes, dry leaves, or wooden items. Now, plastics, rubber, synthetic fabrics, electronic waste, and even chemical-laced agricultural residues are thrown into the fire,” said an environmental activist in Chennai. The combustion of such materials releases toxic pollutants, including particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), carbon monoxide, dioxins, and furans into the atmosphere.

Environmental experts and public health specialists have strongly cautioned against the continuation of Bhogi bonfires in their present form. They warn that soil quality is affected when ash and toxic residues settle on farmland, contaminating crops and water sources.

According to air quality researchers, the concentration of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) during Bhogi morning often exceeds safe limits several times over. “The smoke generated during Bhogi is not localised; it lingers in the atmosphere for hours and spreads across districts. Fine particulate matter enters deep into the lungs and even the bloodstream, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes,” said a senior air pollution scientist associated with a national environmental research institute.

Medical professionals say the health impact is immediate and severe. Prolonged exposure to Bhogi smog can trigger respiratory illnesses, asthma attacks, bronchitis, eye irritation, and cardiovascular problems. Pulmonologists have also raised concerns over the short- and long-term health impact of festival-related smog.

Children, senior citizens, pregnant women, and people with pre-existing lung or heart conditions are especially vulnerable. Hospitals often report a spike in patients complaining of breathing difficulties and allergies during the Bhogi-Pongal period.

Aviation authorities have repeatedly flagged Bhogi-related smog as a serious safety concern. Airports in Chennai, Coimbatore, Tiruchi, and Madurai have, over the years, reported poor visibility during early morning hours on Bhogi Day, leading to flight delays, diversions, and occasional cancellations. “Dense smoke from widespread bonfires settles like fog and significantly reduces runway visibility. Even modern instrument landing systems have operational limits when visibility drops sharply,” said a retired Airports Authority of India (AAI) official.

The impact extends beyond humans. Animals and birds suffer due to reduced air quality and sudden fires in residential and agricultural areas. Stray animals are often injured or disoriented by fires lit on roadsides, while livestock inhaling polluted air may face long-term health issues.

Agricultural experts caution against the burning of farm waste, noting that it destroys valuable organic matter that could otherwise be composted and returned to the soil. “Crop residue burning not only pollutes the air but also reduces soil fertility and kills beneficial microorganisms,” an agriculture officer said.

In recent years, the Tamil Nadu government, pollution control authorities, and civic bodies have repeatedly appealed to the public to celebrate an eco-friendly Bhogi. Awareness campaigns urge people to donate usable clothes, recycle old materials, and compost organic waste instead of burning it. Several resident welfare associations and schools have begun promoting “Green Bhogi” initiatives, replacing bonfires with symbolic activities such as cleanliness drives and tree planting.

Environmental groups stress that cultural traditions must evolve with time. “Bhogi is about renewal, not pollution. Protecting the environment is also part of our responsibility to future generations,” an activist said.

Urban planners and disaster management experts also warn that reduced visibility caused by smoke can turn fatal. “Dense Bhogi smog affects road safety and aviation. Even a few seconds of low visibility can result in accidents,” a former traffic safety official noted. As climate change and air pollution continue to pose serious challenges, experts say collective responsibility and public awareness are crucial. Choosing not to burn old materials on Bhogi Day could be a small but significant step towards cleaner air, safer roads, healthier communities, and a truly sustainable celebration of Pongal.