Only ten kilometers away from Erode, in the Vadamugam Vellode bird sanctuary, seven villages in the Tamil Nadu district of Erode observed Diwali without setting off firecrackers.
Thousands of migratory and local birds use the sanctuary as a refuge during the breeding season, which runs from October to January, when they come to lay and hatch their eggs.
Aware of the delicate nature of this time of year, which also happens to be Diwali, more than 900 local families have made the commitment to celebrate in a more subdued manner in order to spare the feathered inhabitants.
These communities have welcomed an environmentally conscious approach to the festival for the past 22 years. Rather than using loud pyrotechnics, they buy their kids new clothes and restrict the celebrations to lighting sparklers.
This custom has been carried on by the villages of Sellappampalayam, Vadamugam Vellode, Semmandampalayam, Karukkankattu Valasu, Pungampadi, and two more.
Because of the quiet Diwali celebration, the birds are able to flourish in their native environment without interference. It is confirmed by reports that there were no issues at the sanctuary during the weekend, pointing to a successful and tranquil celebration for the birds as well as the villagers.
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