# Wildlife protection efforts during Deepavali in India

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/wildlife-protection-efforts-during-deepavali-in-india
> Updated: 2026-11-08T06:41:05.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2.

In various regions of India, residents and forest officials are promoting noise-free Deepavali celebrations to mitigate distress to local wildlife and avian species caused by high-decibel firecrackers.

In the Nilgiris, the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve administration has sought to impose restrictions on firecrackers in villages near jungle fringes to prevent the disturbance of tiger populations. 

In the Erode district of Tamil Nadu, more than a dozen villages surrounding the Vellode Bird Sanctuary have maintained a voluntary ban on firecrackers for 21 consecutive years. This initiative aims to protect domestic and migratory birds, including species from Siberia, Russia, Australia, and New Zealand, from noise and air pollution. While the sanctuary traditionally attracts thousands of birds, residents noted that only a small number of birds were present during the most recent celebration.

## Claims

- More than 10 villages near Vellode Bird Sanctuary celebrated a cracker-free Deepavali. (reported by 3 sources)
- This is the 21st consecutive year the villages have celebrated without crackers. (reported by 3 sources)
- The Vellode Bird Sanctuary covers approximately 240 acres. (reported by 3 sources)
- The sanctuary was established in 1996 by the Ministry of Environment and Forests. (reported by 3 sources)
- The sanctuary is centered around the Periyakulam Lake tank. (reported by 3 sources)
- Birds typically arrive to nest and breed between March and October. (reported by 3 sources)
- The number of birds currently present at the sanctuary is relatively low. (reported by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-11-08: Vellode Bird Sanctuary villages celebrate 21st cracker-free Deepavali

Villages near Tamil Nadu’s Vellode Bird Sanctuary celebrated their 21st consecutive cracker-free Deepavali to protect local and migratory bird populations from noise and pollution.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vellode-bird-sanctuary-villages-celebrate-21st-cracker-free-deepavali

### 2026-11-06: Indian communities implement cracker-free Deepavali to protect wildlife

Communities in India, including villages near Vellode Bird Sanctuary and the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, are adopting cracker-free Deepavali celebrations to protect wildlife and migratory birds.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indian-communities-implement-cracker-free-deepavali-to-protect-wildlife

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Cite as: Wildlife protection efforts during Deepavali in India. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/wildlife-protection-efforts-during-deepavali-in-india