1 . October 19th marks the beginning of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights which is marked by colorful but harmful fireworks across India. But this year, the country's top court has moved to carry out a complete ban (禁令) on the sale of fireworks in and around New Delhi. The decision is intended to help improve the Indian capital's poor air quality, but will it work?

It is reported that air pollution led to 1.1 million deaths in India in 2015. New Delhi, considered among India's worst cities in terms of air quality, is on the front line in fighting the harmful effects. But at present, the government's pollution policy largely appears after pollution rather than before pollution. The smog-reducing measures, which include banning trucks from the city's roads and closing coal-fired power plants, are only carried out during periods of extreme pollution.

Air quality measurements provided by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee record smog levels across the city in real time. Those levels are based on the amount of PM 2.5, which are considered particularly harmful because they are small enough to get deep into the lungs and pass into other organs (器官)，causing serious health risks.

The sale of fireworks was illegal last November following the situation of dangerously high PM 2.5 levels immediately after Diwali. However,the Indian Supreme Court thought a complete ban would be an extreme step. As a result,that order was reversed (撤销) this month. It is believed by the public that the government is unlikely to provide a lasting solution.

Fireworks aren't the only reason behind New Delhi's smog. In fact, New Delhi's pollution is also affected by its unfortunate geography. Sitting in a natural bowl and Surrounded by industrial and agricultural centers, the city keeps much of the pollution.