In order to not disturb birds and animals inside the Coimbatore Corporation VOC Zoo, situated near the Nehru Stadium in the city, Corporation Commissioner K Vijayakarthikeyan has requested residents to not light crackers within 1 km radius of the zoo.

Wishing the people of Coimbatore ahead of Diwali on Friday, Vijayakarthikeyan also advised people to not light crackers close to water bodies and trees where birds rest. He further advised them against crackers near hospitals, religious centres, parks and places where people gather, so as to not disturb the general public.

“Use open grounds to light crackers that make noise,” he said in a release. “People should also avoid littering water bodies, as the Corporation has arranged immediate makeshift arrangements to clear the waste generated,” he added.

He also advised them to celebrate the festival keeping in mind safety precautions.