Patna, Oct. 29: Not all cracker traders think alike. There are some who are making an effort to ensure clean and green Diwali this year by selling eco-friendly crackers.

A source said the initiative has received positive response from consumers who are buying eco-friendly crackers in bulk. These crackers are designed to go high up in the air and burst a multiple number of times, with different colours.

A source said consumers prefer these eco-friendly crackers, commonly known as fancy items, to traditional ones. Rajesh Kumar Rai of Sharthake Trading Company said: “Multi-shot crackers are the most popular. They go high up in the air, about 80 feet, and explode one by one. They make beautiful designs and are very attractive. As they burst high up in the air, they hardly cause any pollution.”

Rai said these crackers cost something between Rs 160 and Rs 8,500.

He said a very popular item is “golden blink” that sells for Rs 160. A more sophisticated multi-shot cracker that can go on for half an hour sells for Rs 8,500, he said.

Rai claims crackers produced by companies such as Kaleshwar and Chidambaram are usually the ones in demand. He said Chidambaram’s crackers are usually multi-coloured.

Rai also spoke of the unique nomenclature of these crackers – some of them are called twister, hot girls, star war, star night, and lightning thunder.

Some of the crackers also have Hindi names, like, naya naya pyar or dil maange more.

He said each firecracker has a different characteristic and they all burst to make beautiful designs in the air.

He said these are called eco-friendly as they not only produce less sound but also less smoke.

Rai said ground charkhi and sparklers are also available.

One of the more unique ones is Flora Fountain, which functions both as a charkhi and a flower pot cracker. He said it is priced at Rs 110.

Officials of Bihar State Pollution Control Board have been proactive in preventing noise pollution during Diwali this year. They have come up with the slogan: “Make noise to control noise.”

Bihar State Pollution Control Board secretary Manoj Kumar Singh said: “We have started a campaign in schools to prevent the use of firecrackers.”

He said the campaign, named “Say no to crackers” has picked up momentum with the help of schoolchildren and volunteers of non-government organisations.

Kumar said the campaign had influenced many children to give up noise-emitting firecrackers.

Naveen Kumar, a scientist associated with Bihar State Pollution Control Board, said firecrackers that emit noise more than 125 decibels is disallowed by law.

He also said such firecrackers were a health hazard and children should be discouraged from using them.

Anjali Sharma, a Class XII student of DAV School, said: “Eco-friendly crackers are very good for the environment. People should use these instead of the one that are polluting.” Sharma said she would tell her friends about these crackers.