Archive · 8 Jan 2026
Smog Lingers as Eco-Friendly Bhogi Urged
Every year, people in Tamil Nadu and parts of South India celebrate Bhogi Day by burning old clothes, household items, and agricultural waste.
This creates a lot of smoke and smog, which can be harmful to people's health and the environment.
The smoke contains tiny particles and toxic chemicals that can cause breathing problems, heart issues, and other health problems.
It also affects visibility, leading to traffic accidents and flight delays.
Experts and the government are asking people to celebrate Bhogi in a more eco-friendly way, like donating clothes, recycling, and planting trees instead of burning things.
This can help keep the air clean and make the celebration safer for everyone.
Bhogi Day celebrations involve burning old clothes, household items, and agricultural waste, creating thick smoke and smog.
The smoke contains toxic pollutants like PM2.5, PM10, carbon monoxide, dioxins, and furans, which are harmful to health and the environment.
The practice leads to reduced visibility, causing traffic accidents and flight delays in airports across Tamil Nadu.
Environmentalists and health experts warn of immediate and severe health impacts, including respiratory illnesses and cardiovascular problems.
The Tamil Nadu government and civic bodies are promoting eco-friendly Bhogi celebrations, encouraging activities like donating clothes, recycling, and tree planting.
- Who
- Environmentalists, public health experts, aviation authorities, agricultural experts, and the Tamil Nadu government
- What
- The burning of old clothes, household items, and agricultural waste during Bhogi Day celebrations
- When
- During Bhogi Day, which marks the beginning of the Pongal festival
- Where
- Across Tamil Nadu and parts of South India
- Why
- To symbolically discard the old and welcome new beginnings, but the practice has become an environmental and health hazard
- Event
- Bhogi Day celebrations
- Primary Pollutants
- PM2.5, PM10, carbon monoxide, dioxins, furans
- Health Risks
- Respiratory illnesses, asthma, bronchitis, cardiovascular problems
- Affected Regions
- Tamil Nadu and parts of South India
- Government Appeals
- Promote eco-friendly Bhogi celebrations
- Alternative Activities
- Donating clothes, recycling, composting, tree planting
- Impact on Aviation
- Flight delays, diversions, and cancellations
- Impact on Agriculture
- Reduced soil fertility, destruction of organic matter