Worship Ganesha, but in an eco-friendly way
With Ganesha Chaturthi festival just around the corner, civic authorities
across states have appealed to use eco-friendly Ganpati idols as per the
directives from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Here's how cities
are perparing for the festivities.
Goa:
Environmentalists in Goa have began campaigning for an eco-friendly Ganesh
festival in the coastal state this year. With Ganeshotsav getting increasingly
modern and detrimental to the environment, green minds have started convincing
people to celebrate an 'Eco-Chaturthi'.
Environmental NGOs in the state have began efforts to give an eco-touch to this
festival so that the levels of noise, air and water pollution during the
celebrations is reduced drastically.
The environmentalist residing in state's Keri village bordering Mhadei wildlife
sanctuary said Ganesh idols made of unbaked natural clay, natural fiber and
recycled paper will lessen the pollution.
"Ensure that the dyes used to colour the idols are organic or vegetable in
origin. The stress on the use of earthen or clay idols embellished by vegetable
dyes is a symbolic way of displaying environment-friendliness in religion," an
environmentalist said in an appeal to the people.
The Goa government has banned sale of Plaster of Paris Idols, which usually
float in the water bodies and create nuisance.
The state-run Handicraft Corporation has launched a special subsidy scheme for
the artisans who carve clay Idols.
Goa Handicrafts Rural and Small Scale Industries Development Corporation
(GHRSSIDC) Chairman Sameer Salgaocar said that this year around 500 artisans
have applied for the subsidy. The Corporation had distributed cash subsidy of
around Rs45 lakh during FY 2009-10 to various artisans.
Pune:
Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) Pune regional head PB Mirashe said,
their office has already issued circulars to local bodies to implement the
rules set by CPCB.
The guidelines include idols to be made from traditional clay rather than baked
clay or such materials. The board has also recommended painting the idols with
water soluble and non-toxic natural dyes. Use of toxic and non-biodegradable
chemical dyes is prohibited, said the guidelines.
With the MPCB, along with the local bodies, drafting a river pollution
improvement plan, it becomes mandatory that the guidelines are followed so that
the river is not polluted.
The MPCB has also issued other guidelines directing mandals that materials,
such as flowers, clothes, decorating material made of paper and plastic, should
be removed before immersion.
The guidelines also include collecting the bio-degradable material for
recycling or composting and non-biodegradable materials to be collected
separately for disposal in sanitary landfills, while clothes are to be handed
over to the orphanages.
Mumbai:
Mumbaikars too have give a thumbs up to an eco Ganesha. In the run-up to Ganesh
Chaturthi, the message coming from the local Mumbai authorities too is: The
gods must go green.
Hundreds of housing societies have registered with the Green Ganesha drive,
mainly those that have awakened to the cause and are willingly opting for
eco-friendly idols this year.
Idol-making workshops were conducted by the NGO EnviroVigil across the city,
apart from street plays or `path natikas' where actors showed how Lord Ganesh
is angry at the pollution generated during festivals and will only give his
blessings once amends were made.
Corporates like The Bombay Store along with eCoexist have undertaken an
initiative to educate people and children on the benefits of using these
eco-friendly Ganesha this year.
These eco-friendly Ganesha idols are crafted by traditional craftsmen in
Maharashtra as well as Sirsi Karnataka. Sirsi idols fully hand sculpted are
made using a base of natural clay and are designed according to scriptural
code. They are then painted using natural pigments such as turmeric, red earth
(geroo) and earth from Multan. The Ganeshas sculpted are natural, beautiful and
environment friendly.
Then there are those who will go a step ahead of all the eco-friendly talk and
NOT immerse its Ganesh idol. The KDGB Nivas Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal,
located in a wadi in a Girgaum bylane will nt just go green with an
eco-friendly Ganesha but on visarjan (immersion) day, devotees will take the
idol to the beach with the usual fanfare, but bring it back after pouring some
water on its feet to symbolise immersion.
The idol will be reinstalled in a smaller, permanent pandal in the wadi.
Source: Agencies, The Indian Express, India Syndicate
