The city is poised to witness a remarkable sight this Ganesh Utsav, with the unveiling of the tallest Ganesh idol, standing at 8 feet in height but weighing only a mere 8 kg. This exclusive lightweight marvel is crafted entirely from paper and will be showcased at the Ganesh Utsav organized by Shree Ganesh Mitra Mandal Tapal Naka, Old Panvel, within the Shani Mandir complex. The elegant-looking Ganesh idol, seated atop a swan, is the creation of Professor Moreswar Pawar, a renowned idol maker based in Navi Mumbai and the former Dean of J.J. College of Arts.

In recent times, there has been a surge in demand for eco-friendly Ganesh idols, owing to the increased awareness of environmental conservation promoted by civic authorities and various non-governmental organizations. Eco-idol makers have fulfilled orders for such idols not only within the state but have also exported them to foreign countries well in advance of the festivities. Different idol makers employ various materials such as paper pulp, papier-mâché, Saddu Matti (a type of clay), and mud from the Ganga basin to craft these green idols.

Prof. Pawar was a pioneer in promoting the concept of eco-friendly idols among local Ganesh mandals nearly 15 years ago. Over the past two years, he has been exclusively crafting paper Ganesh idols using old newspapers. In 2023, he achieved a remarkable feat by creating the largest Ganesh idol measuring 8 feet in height and weighing just 8 kg, along with another 6.5 feet tall idol weighing 6 kg. Prof. Pawar explained, "The weight of the idol is essentially the weight of the newspaper, making it nearly identical. While the crafting process is labor-intensive and time-consuming, the idols are entirely biodegradable. Paper pulp is also used as an eco-material, but such idols tend to be heavier. The current trend favors lightweight idols, and Ganesh mandals are increasingly inclined towards them."

Prof. Pawar's lightweight paper idols have even found their way to African countries. He elaborated on the various methods of creating eco-friendly idols, saying, "Saadu clay imported from Gujarat is quite popular. Soil from farmland is another eco-material, mixed with gum and organic substances. Lastly, paper pulp, which is widely used nowadays." He added, "Paper pulp is created by soaking paper in water for several days until it turns into a clay-like substance. Idols made from paper pulp can be heavier. Price and weight are factors influencing their popularity. Consequently, lightweight paper idols are in high demand." Prof. Pawar also noted that these lightweight paper idols can be easily immersed in water and dissolve within 3-4 hours, leaving no remnants behind.