Pune: The eco-friendly Ganesh idol donation initiative, launched two decades ago with modest numbers, is fast gaining traction among Maharashtra devotees. In Pune city alone, over 1.7 lakh eco-friendly idols were donated this Ganeshotsav, accounting for around 25% of the total idols immersed in the city.In Pimpri Chinchwad, 1.6 lakh idols have been donated this festival. Similarly, in cities like Mumbai, Nashik, Kolhapur and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, residents have donated eco-friendly Ganesh idols in large numbers. Idol makers appreciated the initiative, saying it not only conserved clay but also enabled them to optimise their craft. “The idols are donated to various NGOs and artists, who reuse them after due process,” Sandip Kadam, head of PMC’s solid waste management department, said.NGOs like Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (MANS), founded by Narendra Dabholkar, promote eco-friendly Ganesh idol immersion. Environmentalists said Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols, containing gypsum, sulphur and magnesium, did not easily degrade, and polluted rivers. The colours used often contained toxic chemicals like lead and mercury. Additionally, dumped idols obstructed the natural flow of water, causing further environmental issues, they said.“Public awareness is driving the surge in idol donations. We’ve employed legal and scientific approaches to showcase the benefits of eco-friendly Ganesh celebrations. Now, state govt and civic bodies need to step up and promote the use of natural colours and material in idol-making,” Avinash Patil of MANS said.Prakash Bakal, an environmentalist from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, said, “Though awareness about reducing pollution during festivals is increasing, there is a huge scope to promote eco-friendly idols. Many devotees, including big mandals, are still using PoP idols, which should be avoided.”
