- Fireworks are also avoided during weddings.
Coimbatore: It is usually difficult to imagine the festival of Diwali without the sound of firecrackers. The glow of earthen lamps, the sweetness of festive treats, and colorful fireworks in the sky are typically considered the hallmarks of this celebration. However, there are villages in Tamil Nadu where the joy of Diwali is not marked by the noise of firecrackers, but rather by the chirping of birds. The villagers here have altered their traditions to ensure the safety of birds and bats.
In the village of Kittampalayam, located in the Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu, no firecrackers have been burst for the past 25 years. Similarly, in Koonthankulam—a village in the Tirunelveli district—fireworks are avoided during Diwali, as well as during weddings and other social gatherings, to protect the local bird population.
Distress caused to birds leads to a change in Diwali traditions.
About 25 years ago, the residents of Kittampalayam—a village near Karumathampatti in the Coimbatore district—collectively decided to stop bursting firecrackers. The village is home to a large number of birds and bats that roost in its ancient banyan, peepal, and other massive trees. During Diwali, the loud noise of firecrackers and the smoke they produce caused significant distress to these creatures. The villagers realized that the very festival they celebrated with such enthusiasm and fervor was negatively impacting the natural lives of these birds.
Recognizing this issue, the village elders decided to discontinue the use of firecrackers. Their goal was to ensure that the birds and bats remained safe within their natural habitat. Over time, this decision was embraced by the younger generation as well, and it has since become a defining characteristic of the village. Even today, nearly two and a half decades later, the villagers continue to celebrate Diwali with the same commitment.
The new generation honors the decision of their ancestors
A notable feature of Kittampalayam village is that the tradition of not bursting firecrackers is not limited to the elders; children and the youth have also taken it upon themselves to uphold this practice. Even when their peers at school talk about buying firecrackers and setting off fireworks, the youth of this village remain steadfast in honoring the decision made by their ancestors.
For the villagers, this is not merely about abstaining from firecrackers; it reflects a philosophy of living in harmony with nature. They value the lives and safety of birds just as much as they value their own celebrations. This is why the tradition has been passed down through generations in the village.
Planting Banyan, Peepal, and fruit-bearing trees for birds
The villagers’ initiative goes beyond just avoiding fireworks. They are also planting new trees to provide safe shelter and food for birds—notably Banyan, Peepal, Fig, Jamun (Java plum), and Guava trees. These trees offer birds space to build nests, as well as a source of food in the form of fruits and other natural sustenance.
This initiative is increasing the village’s greenery and creating a bird-friendly environment. The villagers believe that providing safe shelter for birds and preserving their natural habitats is a responsibility of society.
A bird sanctuary and a pond span an area of 129 hectares in Koonthankulam
A similarly unique tradition of bird conservation can also be found in the Tirunelveli district. According to Ilango, the District Forest Officer of Tirunelveli, there are two bird sanctuaries—Kunthankulam and Kattankulam—located near Nanguneri in the district. These sanctuaries, along with the associated ponds, cover a total area of 129 hectares. Of this, the Kunthankulam sanctuary alone spans 71.02 hectares.
The lush greenery and favorable natural environment that emerge in these areas during the monsoon attract a large number of migratory birds. Arriving from abroad, these birds build nests and breed in the various ponds and lakes across the Tirunelveli district. Consequently, during the monsoon season, the entire region becomes vibrant with avian activity.
Villagers of Kunthankulam treat birds like their own children
Recognizing the importance of these birds, the residents of Kunthankulam village have embraced them as part of their own families. The villagers treat the birds like their own children and take special precautions to ensure their safety. They are well aware that the loud noise and smoke from firecrackers can negatively impact the lives of these birds and disrupt the environment necessary for their breeding.
For this reason, the local people have refrained from bursting firecrackers during Diwali for many years. Furthermore, they have extended this practice to other social and family events; no fireworks are used during auspicious occasions like weddings, nor are they set off during times of mourning in any household. For these villagers, the protection of birds is not limited to a single festival—it has become an integral part of their lifestyle.
The villagers’ initiative serves as a message for environmental conservation
Every year, the government conducts awareness campaigns regarding the air and noise pollution caused by firecrackers during the Diwali festival. The Tamil Nadu government has also designated specific time slots—from 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM and from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM—for bursting firecrackers. Despite this, the pollution caused by firecrackers during festivals and its impact on animals and wildlife remain a cause for concern.
In this context, the initiative taken by the villagers of Kittampalayam and Koonthankulam conveys an important message regarding environmental conservation. These villages have demonstrated that during festivals…
