Solution: acknowledging and mitigating the problem
In response to feedback from the public, the government has worked with the National Environment Agency (NEA) and town councils to create programs and management teams to encourage “responsible burning” of offerings.
On top of posters and banners that are put up around HDB estates (where burning activities usually occur), the government has also involved faith leaders to speak out on the issue.
Three religious groups – the Taoist Federation (Singapore), the Singapore Buddhist Federation and the Wat Ananda Metyarama – issued a joint advisory with the government to call for more responsible burning. This involved advising against certain practices and saying that those practices were not needed.
Another way in which the government has taken actions to control the problem was to introduce a new model of incense burning device around the HDB estates.
Incense burning bins
In the past, incense burning bins had open tops and smoke would billow out freely. It is not uncommon for the entire area around the burner to be covered in smoke coupled with the strong smell of ashes floating about in the air.
An example of the a bin that has since been replaced:
These days, the bins we see around HDB estates are ones like these:
They have closed-tops, with small vents in which the smoke can flow out in lesser quantities and in a more managed manner.
Conclusion
Though Singapore and India’s problems regarding pollution are vastly different due to the nature of the pollution and the infrastructures available, engaging with faith leaders and putting forward solutions that allow for the rituals to continue but in more managed ways is likely a good template for resolving faith-based-pollution
This is because such measures allow for the faith to be acknowledged and practiced. People can continue holding on to their sacred beliefs and values while the method in which they exercise those values are gently redirected to more environmentally-friendly means.