Go eco friendly this ganesh chaturthi

Go Eco-friendly this Ganesh Chaturthi

Go Green this Ganesh Chaturthi.

By 25th Aug, 2014 | 05:32 pm

Source: hindu.com

A baffling melting pot of religions and cultures makes India what it is. This unfathomable mixed bag brings with it a host of customs, traditions and festivals, which are integral to the existence of various communities in this beautiful country.

Festivals in India are celebrated with much gusto and excitement that you can’t help but be part of them. But there is a flip-side to this-- harm is caused to nature. There are festivals that involve immersing idols, without which it would be deemed incomplete. However, do we know the ecological impact of this and how it goes against nature?

Ganesh Chaturthi is the biggest festival in Maharashtra and is celebrated in a grand way. It is eleven days of non-stop revelry and the euphoria is contagious. However, if you take a stroll by the beaches of Mumbai after Ganpati Visarjan (Ganesh idol immersion), you would see half-broken idols strewn across the beaches; the entire stretch is a mess, which makes you wonder the purpose behind this sentiment. If this view looks disastrous to us, can you imagine the kind of impact it must have on marine life and humans? Toxins from various materials used to make these idols are just murdering the world existing underwater and turning the entire ecosystem upside down.

So, what is the way out? Eco-friendly idols! Made from natural materials like clay and sand, these idols dissolve easily in water. They cost almost double of those made from plaster of paris (POP). They are also less attractive as they are entirely handmade and heavier than the POP ones but are definitely worth it. A lot more people are now opting for eco-friendly Ganesh idols, which is very good news. So, do your bit for the environment and celebrate this festival in a grand but conscientious way!

Send Ganesh Chaturthi Greetings

- Esha Birnur

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