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Offering a substitute for Plaster of Paris (PoP), a metropolis-based mostly group has launched seed balls in Ganesh idols this yr that can develop into crops put up immersion whereas holding its 5-yr lengthy custom of sculpting 9-inch clay idols vegetarian fish meals.
Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations start on August 22.
From 2015 onwards, Sprouts Environment Trust by means of its ‘God Save the Ocean’ marketing campaign used corn and vegetable powder — substances that can simply decompose in water and get consumed by marine organisms — colored with natural substances equivalent to turmeric, chandan and geru (colored soil) of their try to guard the aquatic biodiversity.
This yr they determined to make use of seed balls – Kachnar (Bauhinia variegata), climbers, and smaller grass seeds – within the idols that can be immersed in small pots that can develop into crops.
Devotees can select between shopping for an idol with fish meals or seed balls. “We introduced seed balls inside the idol’s belly because many people will not be going for immersions to artificial ponds or natural sites due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” mentioned Anand Pendharkar, founder, Sprouts Environment Trust including, “As ecologists, our idea is to protect the rich marine biodiversity along Mumbai’s coast. Our concern was that actions of PoP and hazardous colours should not continue causing damages. By providing an eco-friendly alternative, we intend on making citizens aware that they switch to idols at the same cost price as PoP.”
The group has made about 40 idols this yr with greater than 70% already booked.
The group has made about 40 idols this yr with greater than 70% already booked. It prices Rs. 800 to make the idols and they promote it at Rs. 1,500. A number of massive societies that already booked the idols have been beforehand utilizing 5-6 foot PoP idols. However, contemplating the environmental advantages they’ve opted for the 9-inch ones this yr ending up saving some huge cash, mentioned Pendharkar including, “Not only have we faced the problem of limited material resources this year but we are a group of only four people who made the idols. Our original group of 10-12 could not make it owing to transport restrictions during the pandemic. What’s worse, many of our team members lost their jobs. We will be contributing our earnings to them.”
Meanwhile, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) mentioned that they had elevated the variety of synthetic immersion websites within the metropolis from 32 to 167 of their try to decongest pure websites like seashores, rivers, and lakes.
“The sites will be located either inside societies, open spaces, any other areas that voluntarily opt for setting up artificial immersion structures. The regulation is a 4-foot idol for Sarvajanik and less than 2-foot idols for households this year,” mentioned Narendra Barde, joint municipal commissioner (zone II), BMC.
Following a ban by the Central Pollution Control Board on PoP idols earlier this yr which was lifted by Union surroundings minister Prakash Javadekar on May 22, a lot of idol makers had switched to clay and paper to make sure their idols are purchased, mentioned Naresh Dahibhavkar, president, Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti.
“According to our assessment, the city wide coverage of around 12,000 (sarvajanik) idols, there are close to 7,000 eco-friendly clay idols, paper mache, red clay, and PoP. However, there is a huge demand for ‘Tree Ganesha’ idols which could become the prevalent idol following the implementation of the ban from 2021,” he mentioned.
An eco-pleasant Ganesh idol prices Rs. 800 to make, and is bought at Rs. 1,500.
ANTI CORONA SQUADS SET UP AT EACH WARD
The umbrella physique of Ganesh mandals within the metropolis – Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti – has recruited 475 volunteers to make sure clean operations in the course of the 10-day competition. Each ward can have these groups not solely to assist these stepping out to go to a mandal but additionally help the civic physique, police division and native hospitals to assist prepare medical services for any Covid-19 associated instances. The teams will assist containment zones in making certain a danger free immersion and additionally present help within the type of reside streaming of prayer processions on social media and entry to residents that proceed to remain at dwelling. A listing of their obligations have been shared with the police and BMC.
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