Noise pollution of Diwali firecrackers in Pune city: An environmental impact assessment (2025)

Festive activities in urban India often generate short-term but severe environmental impacts, particularly in the form of noise pollution. This study examines the spatial and temporal patterns of noise levels in Pune City during the Diwali Festival of 2025, from a geographical perspective. Field data were collected from representative zones across the city and analyzed using environmental and spatial techniques. The study highlights the uneven distribution of noise intensity across different land-use categories residential, commercial, and transport-dominated areas. Results show that noise levels during Diwali night exceeded permissible limits in all study zones, with traffic and commercial areas recording the highest decibel values. The findings provide insights into the spatial dimensions of festive pollution and suggest sustainable and location-specific management strategies.