New year’s fireworks: The unseen impact of fireworks on nature
Every year, thousands of birds suffer and die from New Year’s celebrations involving fireworks
The new year is coming. Fireworks, with their dazzling displays of light and thunderous explosions, have become an integral part of celebrations in our country as well as around the world. While these spectacles are captivating for humans, the impact of fireworks on wildlife, particularly birds and animals, is a matter of growing concern now.
I live in the Dhanmondi residential area, where I watch the same phenomena every year. From the evening of 31 December, the youth start their preparations. In our building, as well as in the general area, there are numerous senior citizens who suffer from the sound pollution caused by fireworks.
This year, it has become a growing concern because there will be no control during the celebration.
We all love to celebrate our last day of the year. There are so many arrangements happening around the city for the New Year celebration. But the way we welcome our new year is actually a rollercoaster journey of madness. Our new year begins with the death of thousands of birds. How can we say that it is a joyous occasion?
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Every year, after the celebrations end, we hear countless shocking stories of dead birds. Even animals like street dogs die of such monstrous sounds.
In recent research, it has been proved that birds are separated from each other because of the confusing obstacles in their way, like different mobile tower frequencies. Birds' bodies and feathers are attracted to these dangerous frequencies. Birds often leave their nestlings and partners and never come back because they are scared off by the noise. As a result, their children are abandoned.
In one case, on New Year's Eve 2010, about 5,000 red-winged blackbirds, grackles, and others died when fireworks were set off next to the site where these birds were roosting overnight. Panicked by the noise, the birds flew up in confusion, and many crashed into buildings or wires.
I have also seen many birds flying away from their nests the night before the celebrations. As special creatures, they sense the incoming danger of the event earlier.
One of the most significant ways fireworks affect wildlife is through the intense noise they generate. The sudden and loud explosions can startle animals, causing stress and anxiety. Birds, in particular, are known to be highly sensitive to sound, and the deafening blasts can disrupt their natural behaviours. Nesting birds may abandon their nests, and young birds still learning to fly can become disoriented and separated from their parents.
In one case, on New Year's Eve 2010, about 5,000 red-winged blackbirds, grackles, and others died when fireworks were set off next to the site where these birds were roosting overnight. Panicked by the noise, the birds flew up in confusion, and many crashed into buildings or wires.
Animals have a far higher hearing range. Their hearing is far more sensitive than ours. Dogs, for example, can hear sounds 4 times farther away than we can and higher-pitched sounds, too. Birds can hear a wider range of sounds than humans and have better resolution than human hearing, so they hear much more detail, and what is not loud to us can be loud and clear to them.
The bright and colourful lights produced by fireworks can also disorient and disturb nocturnal animals. Nocturnal creatures, such as bats and some species of owls, rely on the cover of darkness for hunting and navigating their surroundings. The sudden illumination of the night sky can interfere with their ability to find food and may lead to a decline in their populations.
In addition to the immediate impact on individual animals, fireworks can contribute to long-term environmental issues. The chemicals used in fireworks, such as heavy metals and other pollutants, can contaminate soil and water sources. These pollutants may adversely affect the health of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, potentially harming a wide range of wildlife.
Society must recognise and address fireworks' consequences for the natural world. Alternatives such as silent fireworks or community displays that prioritise minimising noise and environmental impact can be explored. Stricter regulations on using fireworks near wildlife habitats and during sensitive times, such as breeding seasons, can also help mitigate the negative effects on birds and animals.
Ultimately, as we celebrate with fireworks, it is important to balance our enjoyment and the well-being of the ecosystems we share with countless other species. Finding sustainable and wildlife-friendly alternatives ensures that our celebrations do not come at the expense of the natural world around us.
Riadul Hoque is a marketing officer at Padma Oil Company Limited.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.
