City residents opt for eco-friendly idols to protect the environment

Ganeshotsav, a time for grand celebrations and cultural expressions, has become a platform for promoting environmental awareness this year. Households across Navi Mumbai are championing the theme of "Eco-Idol to Save Environment," opting for biodegradable idols and incorporating eco-friendly practices into their festival celebrations.

This year’s Ganeshotsav is marked by a significant shift in how idols are made and immersed. Families, inspired by the efforts of Sri Bal Gangadhar Tilak to incorporate traditional practices, are increasingly choosing eco-friendly Ganesha idols made from clay and other biodegradable materials instead of plaster of paris (POP) idols. This change reflects a growing awareness of environmental issues and a commitment to preserving local water bodies.

Many households, maintaining the tradition of Ganesh puja for various durations ranging from one to ten days, are now aligning their practices with environmental considerations. The themes of the idols are as diverse as the celebrations themselves. Some households are showcasing recent achievements such as the World Cup victory, while others highlight pressing social issues like recent disasters in Wayanad.

Dr. Lokhande and family from Mahavir Hospital, Koparkhairane, have chosen to celebrate with a clay idol of Ganesha portrayed as a cricketer, symbolizing the World Cup victory. Santosh Chaulkar, a veteran idol maker, has been busy crafting over 100 clay idols specifically for households within the Koparkhairane node.

In addition to individual efforts, large housing complexes like NRI Complex in Nerul are taking collective action. Residents are encouraged to collect the clay from immersed idols and return it to local artisans. This initiative aims to create a sustainable cycle, where the clay is reused for making new idols, thereby minimizing waste and supporting ecological balance.