Environment Min promoting eco-friendly CNY
12 Feb 2021 l 11:40
BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment is promoting a “New Way to Celebrate Chinese New Year with Care for the Environment”, urging revelers to abstain from lighting incense, burning replicas and setting off fireworks to mitigate the threat of air pollution.
Smoke from incense is comparable to exhaust fumes as it is composed of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, a toxic hydrocarbon that threatens genetic material and is carcinogenic over long exposure. The sticks also produce particles smaller than 10 microns, contributing to the PM 2.5 problem.
While it is traditional for Thais of Chinese heritage to light incense as they pray for good fortune during the Chinese New Year, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment is promoting an environmentally-friendly way to celebrate the occasion. Wat Mangkon Kamalawat, or Wat Leng Noei Yi, a central temple in Bangkok’s Chinatown has been turned into a model of the new approach, which is aimed at mitigating air pollution and promoting sustainable traditions. The novel celebration is also being promoted throughout communities in Yaowarat and Charoen Krung. Practices include reducing incense from 10 per prayer to only 5, avoiding the burning of paper money, while using QR codes to receive fortune readings instead of paper is being touted as more eco-friendly.
The minister also asked that those of Chinese heritage to reduce or refrain from traditions that involve burning or fireworks, suggesting that less destructive practices can be substituted while reminding them that apart from the environmental impact, such practices also have a direct health impact and pose a danger to persons and property.