We believe that starting new things on a good note will ensure the entire venture is successful. Then why do we start our new year with the massacre of tiny, helpless souls?

It's nice to start the new year with a bang and fireworks serve that purpose, as they are essentially explosions. Since we can't have explosions down here on the ground, we shoot them up into the sky. It's a safe distance away, and the sight of explosions in the sky is deceptively pretty. But what about those who live up there? Those who live in the trees and roam the skies up above?

The smoke and loud noise from the explosions scare the birds nesting in the trees. They flee in flocks, but wherever they fly, there are fireworks. When they flee in the other direction, there are even more fireworks. The tiny souls end up scattered all over Dhaka skies, frantically flying and scared for their lives.

Eventually, many of them are stunned to death in mid-air and drop to the ground. The fear, the loud noise of the fireworks, getting caught in the middle of an explosion, or flying straight into walls brings forth the end of their tiny lives. Animals may also suffocate or be poisoned if they ingest the remains of fireworks and other explosives.

So, as we sleep in on the morning of January 1 to recover from how much fun we've had the night before, the bodies of hundreds of birds, of a variety of local species, are swept up from the streets of Dhaka by city corporation workers. 

Birds of this third-world country are third-world birds. Their death does not make the news. However, when enough first-world birds die, some international reporting is done.

On December 31 of 2021, thousands of starling birds were found dead outside Rome's main train station. The loud fireworks were to blame. The incident has been labelled a massacre by the International Organisation for the Protection of Animal Rights (IOPA).

During the New Year's Eve celebrations in 2010, 4,000 to 5,000 red-winged blackbirds were discovered dead in Beebe, Arkansas, USA. The Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study (SCWDS) claimed that the numerous deaths were caused by blunt force trauma brought on by loud fireworks. It caused the birds to lose control and collide with various objects, killing them.

Pets inside homes are often sensitive to the flashing lights and loud noises as well. They see it as a mortal threat and are left shivering with fear and anxiety. Their tiny hearts beat dangerously loud, and many run around the house in the frenzy. This may lead to them crashing into objects and suffering fatal injuries late at night when no vets are available. The little souls start the new year in prolonged shock for several days after New Year's Eve celebrations.

The story is similar but more dire for stray cats and dogs, as you can imagine.

One may think that only animals suffer from this cruel act of celebrating. However, people end up suffering as well.

Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated regions in the world. Here, the pay of the working class is not enough to cover the expenses of essentials such as soundproofing apartments. Therefore, the loud noise of the fireworks poses a big risk to new-borns, young children, the elderly, and people with high blood pressure or heart conditions.

According to a Facebook post by his father, a 4-month-old child born with a heart condition passed away due to shock from the sound of the new year's fireworks last year in Mohammadpur.

Additionally, the smog and the sulphur dioxide emitted from firework explosions add to the negatives. It pollutes our air, and therefore our lungs, and affects smaller animals with their weaker biological defences even more. Even lanterns can potentially cause fire hazards on the night the fire services are occupied and unavailable.

If fireworks are essential to our celebrations, taking the extra step to find a remote place, away from vegetation and dense housing, can go a long way to reduce the damages. This measure can be taken through a nice trip with friends outside of Dhaka.

If that isn't possible, foregoing fireworks and lanterns are not likely to make a big difference to our enjoyment, as celebrations are about the people and the mindset that we celebrate with. There is a range of options for activities. Barbeques and cake-cutting with friends, music, and dance are just a few of the many things we could do. If anything, it may increase our enjoyment due to the knowledge that our sacrifice has saved some lives. And that is really starting the year on a good, positive note.

References

1. Insider.com (January 2, 2021) Hundreds of dead birds litter the streets of Rome after New Year's Eve firework display

2. Nationalgeographic.com (January 7, 2011) Why Are Birds Falling From the Sky?

Amrin's confusion is at its peak, she's been screaming internally for a while now. Send help at amrinrafa@gmail.com