Context: This petition was started before Independence Day 2023, aiming to highlight the harmful impact of balloons used in celebrations. It has gained high traction, is still very relevant and continues to gain support. Our immediate ask is to ensure no release of tricolour balloons during the upcoming Republic Day of 26th January, and to ease balloons out of all celebrations year-round. The petition in its entirety therefore remains relevant.

Hon'ble Prime Minister,

As Independence Day approaches, we, a collective of environmentally conscious individuals and groups across the country, urge your immediate attention to the environmental repercussions of using balloons, especially the release of tricolour balloons during national celebrations.

Celebrations on Independence and Republic Day, both days of great pride for Indians, have inadvertently led to the adoption of harmful practices that cause grave damage to our environment. It is ironic that while honouring our motherland, we are polluting her environment.

We strongly believe, as we are sure you do too, that our love for Mother India should not harm or disrespect our Mother Earth. In these trying times for the planet, giving up balloons is a small but vital step toward a cleaner, healthier nation, aligning with your Mission LIFE for collective environmental preservation. 

Environmental Impact of Balloons – little known facts that impact our planet and our own health:

1. Balloons as Pollution: These non-biodegradable objects contribute to pollution, contaminating soil, water bodies, and impacting the food chain, posing a threat to human health.
2. Safety hazards: Balloons have caused tragic deaths by choking in infants who accidentally ingest fragments, and also from explosions of gas-filled balloons, emphasizing the urgent need for awareness and preventive action.
3. Threat to Wildlife and Marine Ecosystems: Wildlife often mistake balloon fragments for food or get tangled in strings, leading to fatalities that disrupt the delicate ecological balance, both on land and water.
4. Debris and Litter: The aftermath of celebrations leaves balloon remains everywhere, worsening litter problems, marring aesthetics with challenges for municipalities.
5. Helium Wastage: The extravagant use of helium, a finite gas crucial for medical purposes, is inappropriate and wasteful.

Proposed Measures for Intervention: We urgently request immediate measures to discourage balloon usage and protect our environment:

1. Immediate Discontinuation of Balloon Releases: An urgent announcement and appeal to halt the release of tricolour balloons across the country can create awareness and pave the way for a broader ban at all events.
2. Awareness Building: Launch nationwide public awareness campaigns inaugurated through Mann Ki Baat, to educate citizens on the detrimental effects of balloons on the environment, wildlife, and human health.
3. Policy Framework & Regulatory Measures: Enforce a ban on the manufacture, sale, or use of balloons, aligning with efforts to eliminate single-use plastics.
4. Alternatives for Eco-friendly Celebrations: Encourage sustainable alternatives such as cloth, paper, or flower decorations that can be reused, recycled, or composted (fun craft ideas make this shift exciting for children – more in Beautiful Bharat resources). By integrating these with livelihood opportunities (e.g. tailor fabric scraps converted to reusable decor), we solve a waste issue with economic and environmental gain.
5. Collaboration with Education Institutions and Civil Society: Partner with educational institutions to integrate environmental education into the curriculum; involve the public, especially children, as champions. 
6. Cleanup Initiatives: Organize collaborative post-celebration cleanup events to drive home the need to avoid balloons.

These small steps can lead to big change that nudges individual and collective action towards environment consciousness, and aligns with your mandates of easing out single-use plastic.

Respected Prime Minister, your support in promoting environment-friendly practices, starting this Independence Day, would resonate with the entire nation and instill a sense of environmental responsibility among our citizens. By collectively safeguarding our environment, we can build a greener and cleaner India for generations to come. Thank you for considering this matter with the urgency it deserves ensuring a sustainable future for our beloved nation.

References:
1. How dangerous is ocean plastic
2. Balloons are ticking bombs

Petition started by Beautiful Bharat in collaboration with supporters from across the country. 

Almitra Patel
Abhi and Niyu
Amulya Boondh Foundation 
Bangalore Apartment Federation
Beautiful Bharat
Dharti Ke Prahari Foundation
Dr Meenakshi Bharath
Dr Shanthi Tummala
Eat Raja
Garbage Free India
Gift Green India
Green Bees Forge Forward
Green India Project
Green Utsav
Hasiru Dala
HSR Citizens Forum
I am Gurgaon
India Wasted
Kanpur Ploggers
Lisbon Ferrao
Nayana Premnath
Namma Ooru Foundation
NCR Waste Matters
Pinky Chandran
Project Jabalpur
Project Kota
Project Mathura
Project Surat
Project Vadodara
Pune Ploggers 
Ratika Khandelwal
Ripu Daman Bevli
Saahas Zero Waste
Save Tirupur Movement
Slow n Conscious living
Solid Waste Management Round Table
Sonika Bhasin
Swachagraha Kalika Kendra
Stonesoup
Sustainable International Cities Alliance
The Clean Coorg Initiative
The Indian Ploggers Army
Vani Murthy
Vasuki Iyengar
Warrior Moms
Waste Frames
Walk for Plastic
Whitefield Rising
Why Waste Wednesdays Foundation
Zero waste Collective 
Zero waste Gurgaon 
Zero Waste Mumbai
Zero waste Raipur

Beautiful Bharat (earlier Beautiful Bengaluru) is a citizen volunteer group working towards cleaner cities, a Beautiful Bharat and a greener planet.

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