Virar, September 22, 2023 – The Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation has embarked on an eco-friendly Ganesh Chaturthi celebration initiative known as ‘Eco Ganesh 2023’. Under this initiative, various environmentally friendly programs have been organized. Building on the success of last year’s eco-friendly idol immersion, the municipality has initiated the process of idol construction using clay.
This year, a significant development in this endeavor is the involvement of eight women’s self-help groups in idol construction from clay. During the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in the city, large quantities of clay idols, decorations, and other materials are immersed in water bodies like ponds, rivers, and the sea. This leads to water pollution due to the dissolution of these materials.
To address this issue, Anil Kumar Pawar, the Municipal Commissioner, introduced the concept of collecting these materials for idol construction. Currently, 105 artificial ponds have been set up in various locations across the city to collect these materials. Women’s self-help groups are actively participating in the idol-making process using these collected materials.
The initiative has already started in Ward ‘A’ (Bolinj) and Ward ‘C’ (Chandansar), and this information was shared by Dr. Charushila Pandit, the Municipal Deputy Commissioner (Solid Waste). Last year, approximately 17,000 kilograms of materials were collected and utilized by these women’s self-help groups for idol construction. Groups like Umadevi Women’s Self-Help Group, KJN Women’s Self-Help Group, Nazrana Women’s Self-Help Group, and Ekavira Women’s Self-Help Group played a pivotal role in this initiative.
By eliminating unnecessary components from the materials and reusing them, these women’s groups have successfully produced 3,400 kilograms of clay idols. This effort not only contributes to the eco-friendly celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi but also empowers women’s self-help groups in the community.
The Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation’s commitment to sustainable practices and community involvement serves as an inspiring example of how traditional festivals can be celebrated while minimizing their environmental impact.
