A Smarter Way to Celebrate: Protecting Our Environment During Ganesh Chaturthi

Sankat Nashan Ganesh Stotra – all ver... The Eco-Friendly Legacy of Gauri Ganp...

A Smarter Way to Celebrate: Protecting Our Environment During Ganesh Chaturthi

Every year, Mumbai bursts with the joy and devotion of Ganesh Chaturthi. The city is filled with vibrant idols of Lord Ganesha, music, and community spirit. But there’s a hidden issue that many of us don’t realize: the environmental harm caused by immersing idols in our seas, rivers, and lakes. I have learned something important recently, and I want to share it with you to make our festivals not only joyful but also kind to our planet.

The Problem with Artificial Ponds

In Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has created artificial ponds for idol immersion to reduce pollution in natural water bodies. This sounds like a great step, but here’s the twist: many idols from these artificial ponds are later dumped into the oceans. This completely undermines the effort to protect our environment. Our seas, home to countless marine creatures, end up polluted, and our ecosystem suffers.

Honoring Mumbai March’s Efforts

Before we dive into the solution, I want to give credit to an incredible group called Mumbai March. I have been part of this team since it began, and I have seen their dedication to protecting our environment. Heroes like Gopal Jhaveri, Anil Pandya, Pankaj Trivedi, and Vikram Chogale have worked tirelessly to bring innovative ideas to life, often without the recognition they deserve. They were the ones who first pushed for artificial ponds, took the matter to the High Court, and demonstrated how these ponds could work. They proved their concept to the authorities, hoping to make a real difference.

But the authorities seem to miss the mark. If idols from artificial ponds are still dumped into the oceans, how is that helping our environment? It’s like solving one problem only to create another.

A Simple, Eco-Friendly Solution

Thankfully, Mumbai March, led by Gopal Jhaveri, Anil Pandya, Pankaj Trivedi, and Vikram Chogale, has developed a brilliant solution. They practice this every year for the large Ganesh idols they bring to their homes, and it’s something we can all adopt. Instead of immersing idols in rivers, lakes, or artificial ponds that lead to the sea, they use a special setup that turns waste into something useful. Here’s how it works:

Avoid Rivers, Lakes, or Seas: Instead of immersing idols directly in water bodies, which can pollute them, take your idol to a special setup arranged by your local municipal council.Use Chemical Drums: Place the Plaster of Paris (POP) Ganesh idol in a drum filled with a solution of ammonium carbonate (a safe chemical similar to baking ammonia). These drums are provided at designated spots, like council offices or other public locations.Let It Dissolve: Leave the idol in the drum for 24–36 hours. The ammonium carbonate breaks down the POP, turning it into a liquid form without harming the environment.Turn Waste into Fertilizer: The dissolved material becomes ammonium sulfate (a nitrogen-rich fertilizer) and calcium bicarbonate (a soil improver). These can be collected and used to help plants grow, turning festival waste into a resource for farming.

For example, if your Ganesh idol weighs 20 kg, the drum should contain enough ammonium carbonate to dissolve it completely. After 24–36 hours, the idol dissolves, and any plastic decorations or jewelry can be filtered out (these often float to the top). The remaining liquid is eco-friendly and beneficial for agriculture.

Why This Method Matters

Most Ganesh idols are made of Plaster of Paris (POP), which doesn’t dissolve in water and harms the environment. Even “eco-friendly” idols can be problematic if they’re coated with harmful paints or decorated with non-biodegradable materials. When POP idols are dumped into rivers or seas, they damage aquatic life and pollute our waters. This method prevents that. It’s safe, eco-friendly, and follows a “zero-waste” approach by recycling idol materials into fertilizer. It keeps our waters clean and supports farmers by providing them with useful resources.

This solution, pioneered by Gopal Jhaveri, Anil Pandya, Pankaj Trivedi, and Vikram Chogale, is a game-changer. They have been doing this for years, and it’s time for the rest of us to follow their example. Authorities should adopt this method for festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi, Navratri, or any celebration involving idols.

What You Can Do

Making our festivals eco-friendly is easier than you might think. Here are some simple steps to follow:

Check with Your Local Council: Ask if they provide chemical drums for eco-friendly idol immersion during festivals.Use the Drums: Take your idol to a designated drum setup instead of a river or artificial pond.Follow Instructions: Drop off your idol and let the authorities handle the rest. It’s that simple!A Call for Change

It’s frustrating to see great ideas like artificial ponds fall short because of poor implementation. Mumbai March, with the efforts of Gopal Jhaveri, Anil Pandya, Pankaj Trivedi, and Vikram Chogale, has shown us a better way. Now, it’s up to us—citizens, devotees, and authorities—to make a change. Let’s celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi with love for Bappa and respect for our planet. By adopting this eco-friendly immersion method, we can ensure our festivals don’t harm the environment but instead contribute to a greener, cleaner future.

Let’s make every visarjan a step toward protecting our seas, rivers, and earth. Ganpati Bappa Morya!

FOR THOSE WHO BRING ECO-FRIENDLY IDOLS

Your Eco-Friendly idols are not really Eco-friendly. As long as paint is used, jewelries and accessories are used on the idols, they are not eco-friendly. Read more about it in the next article, thru the story and history behind Gauri Ganpati.

You can follow Mumbai March on: https://x.com/MumbaiMarch

To Join Mumbai March visit the website: https://www.mumbaimarch.com/

Also Read:

Navratri Series https://rimple.in/category/blog-episode-series/navratri/

Pandharpur Series https://rimple.in/category/blog-episode-series/pandharpur-series

Kamakhya Series https://rimple.in/category/blog-episode-series/kamakhya-series

Jagannath Series https://rimple.in/category/blog-episode-series/jagannath-puri-series

Russia-Ukraine War Series https://rimple.in/category/blog-episode-series/russia-ukraine-war/