Green Diwali campaign: WWF-India and MoEFCC push cracker-free festival
Why in the news
WWF-India launched a nationwide Green Diwali campaign on 20 October 2026, announced by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). It asks people to skip firecrackers and mark the festival in an eco-friendly way.
Key facts
- Theme: cleaner, greener Diwali aligned with Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment).
- Focus area: the 130 cities under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).
- Audience: schools, colleges, resident welfare associations and local communities.
- Green Diwali Pledge: citizens promise to avoid crackers and encourage family and neighbours to do the same.
- Good habits: diyas, energy-efficient lights, no single-use plastic, waste segregation and buying local.
- Duration: until 8 November; WWF-India’s Carbon Footprint Survey helps people check their daily impact.
About Mission LiFE and NCAP
Mission LiFE was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Statue of Unity, Ekta Nagar (Kevadia), Gujarat. It promotes the idea of ‘Pro Planet People’ (P3), who adopt sustainable lifestyles.
NCAP was launched by MoEFCC in 2019 for non-attainment and million-plus cities. The revised target is a reduction of up to 40% in PM10 levels, or meeting national standards, by 2025-26, with 2017 as the base year. Some sources count 131 NCAP cities.
Exam angle
- Link festival-time air pollution with NCAP and Mission LiFE.
- Remember: NCAP launched 2019 by MoEFCC; PM10 target up to 40% by 2025-26.
- WWF is an international conservation NGO; WWF-India is its Indian arm.