Project Report on Survey of Celebration of Ganesh Festival by ecofriendly manner

The nature of our future depends on the future of our nature.”

This Ganesh Chaturthi, let’s all pledge to celebrate the great Elephant God in an eco-friendly manner. Read on to the excerpts and  know how you can celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in an eco-friendly manner.

·         1.0    Introduction

·         1.1    Aims and Objectives

·         1.2    Importance

·         1.3    Methodologies

·         1.4    Observation

·         1.5    Analysis (Graph)

·         1.6    Conclusion

·         1.0      Introduction :

When Lokmanya Tilak was in great distress and worried about our country's freedom.  He used to sit at bank of Girgaum chowpaty and wondered how to collect people. While sitting on the bank of seashore he used to make idols and people used to stop by to see it. Such collective movement was not restricted by British. So from there he got an idea to celebrate sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav. He started the tradition of Sarvajanik Ganesha Utsav by making clay idols.

Ganesh Chaturthi is the birthday of Lord Ganesha, which falls in the month of Bhadrapad – the months of August to September. This is celebrated for 10 days and on the eleventh day, the day of Anant Chaturdasi, the statue of Ganesha is immersed in a river, well or ocean, which is called Visarjan.

Scriptures say that Ganesh festival originated as an expression of gratitude to planet earth. It is celebrated every year in a traditional way creating spiritual awareness among people. It must also be celebrated with the spirit of ecological sustainment and protection

Ganesh festival is  now one of the biggest festivals in Mumbai city with celebrations in homes and large gathering of devotees at Ganesh Mandals and later at beaches during the immersion of the idols. The festival is spread over 11 days. The festival also generates a large amount of holy waste (Nirmalya) in the form of flowers, decoration material and other religious offerings. In all, Worship & Immersion of nearly 3 lakh Ganesh idols is expected through household and community celebrations. These Ganesha idols are immersed at the various beaches and lakes across the city. The city beaches, never really known to be totally clean, get further polluted with holy waste, including pieces of idols which have not got dissolved, flowers, and decoration material etc.

·         1.1 Aims and Objectives :

The main aim  to promote eco-friendly practices during Ganapati pooja celebrations is  to promote awareness and understanding about the spiritual and cultural ideals behind Ganapati pooja, ideals which have been obscured by the recent trends

Celebrating the festival in an eco-friendly way can help avoid adverse effect on the environment. Eco-friendly Ganesh Festival help for preserving the city’s water bodies and the environment.

The objectives of the campaign are:

 · Sensitize people about the issues of environment degradation which occur during Ganesh festival · Encourage people to opt environment friendly celebration of Ganesh festival

Volunteers of Corporate Partners and college students  volunteer for various activities to ensure environment friendly celebration of Ganesh festival.

              Objective of the project was
a) To develop alternative to POP Idol
b) To develop alternative to Thermacol Decoration
c) To develop alternative to Plastic bag for Nirmalya Disposal

                           .1.2 Importance

..An artisan works on Ganesh idols made up of chalk, tea powder, rice grains, pearls being displayed at a pandal ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi, in Mumbai on Wednesday. PTI Photo.

Importance of this project and the implementation of the methodologies gathered and observed would free us  from all the hazards and illeffects causing from such a long period , giving an healthier and more natural environment for human sustainance.

Some of the hazards and effects are mentioned below , which can be eliminated by understanding the implementation i.e highlighting the importance of nature preservation are as follows :

·         Effects of Ganesh festival
a. Contribute to water pollution due to immersion of idol and organic waste
b. Contribute to soil pollution by dumping thermocol decoration
c. The broken idols float on water affects sanctity of the festival
d. Undissolved idols and non degradable material are blocking the natural flow of water and causing stagnation
e. Impact of noise pollution due to artificial sound system during procession.
f. Massive use of electricity in community and household level for decoration purposes.
g. Such pollution causes damage to eco system
Such pollution damages health by
a. polluting drinking water sources causing health impact
b. breathing and skin problems due to Gulal during procession
c. Noise pollution affect psychological problem like fear, nausea, hearing problem especially for adults and infants.

·         Since last few years Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, NGOs and environmentalists in Maharashtra are putting their efforts in creating awareness about eco friendly aspect of the Ganesh festival in the society. The result of these efforts is that there is rising demand of eco friendly Ganesh idols and decorations. To meet this demand it was observed that further Capacity Building for eco friendly options and approaches for Ganesh Idols and Decorations within the society found necessary.

            Environmental Hazards

·         The celebrations have caused severe threats to our environment and water bodies. People are unaware of the damages caused by use of Ganesh idols made of Plaster of Paris and the chemical paints used on them for decorative purposes.

·         When immersion of Idols take place , people mindlessly dump thermacol, plastic flowers, camphor, cloth, even fresh flowers and garlands. They constitute non bio degradable waste that causes water pollution.

·         When they are immersed they cause increased toxicity in water resulting in breathing problems and destruction of marine life. It increases the acidity in water leading to blood disorders and skin diseases. Heavy metals in Plaster of Paris cause digestive problems and kidney problems.

·         This calls for responsible behavior in each citizen by adopting suitable measures to protect our environment and water resource.

                   If the right ways and tips are followed , the important benefit will be derived from problems listed below

    

Some Ganesh Chaturthi practices are harming the Environment.

However, after the celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi and immersion of the idols; the seas, rivers and lakes are often left dirty and polluted, harming all water creatures and mother earth. These are some of the ways by which the celebrations, immersions and rituals are causing harm to the environment.

Plaster of Paris (POP) Idols

Plaster of Paris (POP) is one of the most common elements used to create the Ganesha idols. POP is not a natural occurring material; hence it takes a lot of time to dissolve. It is made from gypsum. It can even take several months or years to dissolve completely.

Chemical Dyes and Colours

The chemical dyes used to paint these idols are also harmful as they result in water pollution. The chemical paints on the idols contain poisonous and heavy metals such as lead, mercury, etc. which enter the water as the idol dissolves and harm water life.

Water Contamination

After the immersions, water bodies such as oceans, seas, lakes, etc. are left highly contaminated. Along with the idols, several other items are immersed in the water such as banana leaves and coconuts making the water dirty and impure. Items used for decoration are also dumped into the seas and other water bodies.

Reduced Oxygen Levels

The toxic and heavy paints from the idols form a layer on the water surface which increases acidic content of the water and deprives fish and other aquatic animals of oxygen. That is why, many fish are found dead and floating on the surface of the water on the day after Ganesh immersions

                        

.1.3 Methodologies

Few of the activities are:

 Nirmalya (Holy Waste) Collection Drive on Major Immersion Days: Ganesh festival celebrations generates a large amount of holy waste (Nirmalya) in the form of flowers, decoration material and other religious offerings. Given the religious sentiments, most of the citizens try to put the Nirmalya collected during the festival into the immersion sites along with the idols. Very often, this Nirmalya is immersed along with the immersion of the Ganesh idols in the sea and other water bodies in different parts of the city. The material immersed also includes chemicals, plastic and other non-degradable items which pollute the water and pose a threat to marine life. It also poses threats to health of humans and animals. Most of the waste gets collected on the seashores over a period of time thus turning the seashores into places of unpleasant sight. To prevent this Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai has installed Nirmalya Kalash- facility of discarding the Nirmalya in a designated place from where it can be taken to waste treatment facilities to convert the organic waste into organic manure. However not many citizens are aware of this or ignore this facility. Hence it is imperative that volunteers are stationed at strategic points at major immersion sites of the city who appeal the Ganesh Mandal members to discard the Nirmalya in the designated place. Employee and College volunteers will carry out following tasks:

·         Volunteers position themselves at strategic locations at immersion sites as instructed by.

·         Volunteers will be equipped with gloves, masks, waste bags etc.

·         Volunteers appeal to the Ganesh Mandals entering the immersion sites to hand over the Nirmalya to them so that they can discard it in the designated facility which then can be sent for treatment.

·         These drives will be carried out on major immersion days during the Ganesh Festival

The ways and methods of celebrating Ganesh festival have gone through many changes during the course of time resulting in to modernization of style of Ganesh idols along with materials required for decorations and the processions during the festivals. Now the Ganesh idols are made of plaster of Paris which is not a naturally occurring material. Plaster of Paris is a calcium sulfate hemi-hydrate : (CaSO4, ½ H2O) derived from gypsum, a calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4 , 2 H2O), by firing this mineral at relatively low temperature and then reducing it to powder. While idols made out of naturally occurring clay (shadu in Marathi) dissolve within hours of immersion in water, PoP idols may take anywhere between several months to years to fully dissolve. In addition, when chemical paints are used to decorate the idols, these paints contain heavy metals such as mercury and lead, which seep into the water as the idol dissolves. This causes damage to the sanctity of the festival and also damage to our environment which makes the cycle of nature to disorder.

There has been tremendous increase in the number of Ganesh idols due to nuclear family and urbanisation to be worshiped home to home and in public. It is said that nearly 3.69 lakh idols were immersed in Pune and PCMC areas during the eleven days long Ganpati festival, stated a press note issued by the police department. More or less similar ratio is in every city. It is also necessary to address other environmental issues related to festival that decoration with ‘Thermocol’ material which is non degradable material and another issue of dumping of flowers which were offered to god into the water bodies mostly in plastic bags.

Some other Tips for Eco-friendly Celebrations

·         Avoid using chemical paints containing harmful colours and dyes. Instead use natural colours such as turmeric, gheru, multani mitti, etc. for idols.

·         Don’t use materials like thermocol or plastics for decoration which are not degradable and which do not dissolve in water. Instead you can use biodegradable items like plain paper or colored paper for decorations.

·         Remove flowers, garlands, clothes, plastic and other decoration items before immersing the idols. Distribute food items like coconuts and fruits to the poor. 

·         Make a compost of all the biodegradable items including flowers, etc. Flowers can be mixed with the soil which will help the plants in your garden.All devotees of Lord Ganesha can continue celebrating the festival but they should take care to not affect the environment adversely. Take safety precautions to avoid freak accidents during the processions or at the sea-shore. Avoid or minimize use of loudspeakers because it causes noise pollution. Celebrating the Ganesh festival is not about how big your idol is or how expensive your decoration is. It is not about a display of wealth or showing off. Rather, it is about the religious sentiment, emotion and feelings in your heart. One should celebrate and enjoy the festival without causing damage to the environment.

·         This project is aimed to build the “Capacity in different sectors of society for different options and alternatives for Ecofirendly Ganesh Idols and decoration” to meet the demand in the society. The idol is developed with 60% paper pulp and 40% shadu clay. The decoration is developed with cloth, paper and corrugated sheets. A pilot project for training of eco friendly idol, decoration and making of pape bags for waste flowers was implemented at Navi Mumbai in 2011 with financial support by Maharashtra Pollution Control Board in association with Navsamvedana Foundation and E Ganesh as local partners. Around 200 people from different sectors like Physically Handicapped Students, School Students, Art Teachers, Women Self Help Group, Prisoners, Artists and other interested people were trained.

The process of the project starts with development of Trainers. 20 trainers were trained for making of Eco friendly idols with paper pulp and shadu clay, eco friendly colours with colouring methods and three decoration types with paper, cloth and corrugated sheets. With the help of few Trainers further training programs are executed

Apart from this a documentary and Book was published for “Alternative and Approached for Eco friendly Ganesh Festival” to disseminate the knowledge to masses. This not only speaks about idol and decoration but also other environmental issues like noise pollution during procession, electricity consumption etc.

In this project the support from Industrial Association and Trans Thane Creek Waste Management Association, Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation was received. The schools and women self help groups, some Idol making artist’s Association has expressed their willingness to start idol and decoration making on mass scale. This project was the demo project to showcase following aspects to express sustainability:

1. Capacity to supply the demand of idols and decoration in Navi Mumbai Corporation should be developed within their jurisdiction.
2. Association of NGOs, Government, Non government and corporate sectors.
3. Involvement of weaker sector in the society and educational institutes to develop social entrepreneurs and carrier avenues for future generation.

Achievement of the project is Environment Improvement, Economic up-gradation of weaker sector in the society which will result in to social up-gradation.

.

                     

                                     .1.5 OBSERVATIONS

A devotee carries a statue of the Hindu god Ganesh to be immersed into the polluted waters of the river Yamuna on the last day of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in New Delhi.

Enjoy a safe Ganesh Chaturthi without harming the environment.

The Joshi's from suburban Mumbai celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi with gusto. Every year, there is a flurry of activity in their house at this time of the year. Elaborate preparations are made for the daily pujas, which are attended by their friends, relatives, and neighbours. On the final day, the idol is carried in a grand procession to the nearby beach. There it is symbolically held for a while under the lashing waves of the sea, before being carried back home and reverentially re-installed on the family's puja altar. 

Brought back home? Yes. Earlier the Joshi's celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi traditionally, by bringing home a new Ganpati idol each year. On the last day, the idol was immersed into the sea to allow it to dissolve. That is, until they read a newspaper report on the environmental damage caused by large-scale immersions. Now, instead of buying a new idol each year, they simply use a brass Ganesh idol. Every year, they carry this to the sea for a symbolic immersion. 

The Problem 

Traditionally, clay was used to make Ganesh idols. Over the years however, plaster of Paris (POP), which is lighter and cheaper, has become the favoured material to mould these idols. POP contains chemicals such as gypsum, sulphur, phosphorus, and magnesium. The dyes used to colour these idols contain mercury, cadmium, arsenic, lead, and carbon. Plastic and thermocol accessories are used to decorate these idols. Such materials are not biodegradable, hence are toxic. Also, while earlier the idols were quite small, today a spirit of competitiveness pervades the celebrations, so that the idols are becoming increasingly colossal. The immersion of idols made from non-biodegradable or toxic materials has the following environmental repercussions:

With the immersion of these idols in the sea or inland water bodies such as lakes and streams, the chemicals in these idols dissolve in the water. POP dissolves slowly, gradually releasing its harmful components. The water experiences a rise in acidity as well as traces of heavy metal. The toxic waste kills plant and animal life in the water. In Mumbai, for instance, dead fish washed ashore after the immersion is a common occurrence. 

Plastic and thermocol waste, including polythene bags containing offerings, is usually immersed with the idols. Because it is non-biodegradable—meaning that it does not decompose—this waste simply keeps adding up. It also obstructs the flow of streams, leading to flooding during the rains. Running water, when obstructed, turns stagnant. This can become a breeding ground for diseases and is a major health hazard for a locality. 

People who use water polluted by these immersions experience a host of health problems such as infections of the lungs, and diseases of the skin, blood, and eyes.

The Solution 

There are ways to reduce the environmental damage from Ganpati celebrations:

Avoid the use of idols made from POP. Always go for those made of unbaked natural clay, natural fibre, or even recycled paper. Ensure that the dyes used to colour the idols are organic or vegetable in origin. Some years ago, natural clay idols were not always easy to get and had to be specially ordered. Today, however, many volunteer organisations make and sell these environmentally safe idols and encourage people to use them.

HOME BE AN ANGEL

Clay idols are beautiful but require you to be more careful.

    

The other solution is to buy Ganesha idols made of Paper-Mache for the Festival

Do not use thermocol or plastic as decorations or accessories for your Ganpati idol. Instead, use cloth, wood, paper, and other natural materials that are safer when immersed in water.
If there is an artificial tank in your area specifically created for immersion purposes, use this instead of a natural source of water such as a lake or a stream.
Collect offerings of flowers and other organic material and put them in a compost pit. These can be used to fertilize your garden. If you must immerse them, wrap them in newspapers instead of polythene bags.
Song and dance are an integral part of the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. However, ear-splitting decibels are not just disturbing, but a major health hazard. Moderation is the key to a safe and enjoyable Ganesh Chaturthi.

initiatives towards global warming.

Again these ideas are easily doable and also cost effective and can be achieved under low budget as well and in less time giving you chance to show your creativity. Here are the remaining ones plus 2 ideas as bonus.

 Home Ganpati Decoration with Fresh Flowers Daily

Do you have fresh flowers market nearby? If yes, then you can take lot of advantages of flowers. They not only make the place look colorful but also add a natural beauty and most importantly brings great freshness with its smell and gives a true touch to the festival.

You can change the flowers every morning making it look fresh every day. You can use these flowers for decorating surroundings of Ganpati Idol. The flowers can also be used to make designs with different colors and styles.

If you do not have such easy ways to get flowers, then not to worry. There are many local shops which sell artificial flowers which look same as natural flowers. Though they may cost a little more, but you can still have the more or less same effect like real ones.

  Available Scarfs, Dupattas, Chunris, and other colorful piece of clothes.

         

Usually we always have some piece of colorful clothes which we can use for decorations. If there are any female wears available at home or if can also be borrowed from friends or families then we can see if anything from those can be used if they are nice and colorful.

This can be either scarfs, colorful Dupattas, Chunris and or any other material which may match the theme of your decoration. You can always mix and match to see how they look. Remember you still need to add few layers of other decorations along with them like flowers or lights or even ribbons so it can give few finishing touches.

 Colorful Rangoli designs with Colors and Fresh Flowers

       

Rangoli designs have always been a part of Indian festivals. It makes the surroundings so colorful giving everyone the feel of festival.

Many people make use of beautiful rangoli’s as part of their decorations. Many designs related to Ganesh Chaturthi can be made.

You do not need to be a professional, even a simple design following the borders of the walls or near the doors will bring beauty to the room, and it will always be appreciated by your loved ones.

Many different colors are available which you can use if easily available to buy, if not then take a look in your storages if you have any colors left from last year’s Diwali festival. You can also use fresh flowers to make rangoli designs everyday if possible. Idea is to use a colored writing chalk and drawing the design and simply place fresh flowers on top of it every day. It will truly make things look fresh and beautiful around.

 Electric lighting garlands and Diyas

Indian festivals are not complete without having lights around. They are not only part of decorations but also bring beauty with lights to the surroundings.

Lots of different kinds of lights are available for you to use. They come in various different ways like garlands, electric diyas, flash lights, etc. Did you buy lighting series garlands last year in Diwali? Great, why not use that if you have it. Take it out and see if it matches with your decorations. But make sure you do not over use it as it should not look like Diwali festival, we still need to maintain decorations theme as per Ganpati Festival.

You can also use diyas for decorations, and place them nicely between flowers to give a nice finishing touch to your decorations or rangoli’s.

 Eco-friendly decoration materials

Due to increase in global warming, everyone should put some efforts to find good options as an alternative for having eco-friendly Ganpati decorations which can not only bring beauty but can also save from using materials which cannot be recycled or can harm to our environments and our mother nature.

If you are good with making things in autistics ways, you can try something like this too to make great designs. Notice the things used are easily available in your kitchen.

 Glittered decorative garlands

We can also use shiny decorative materials if we have proper lighting done which can make it very colorful. These are also readily available in shops which may have been selling decorative items.

Did you buy decorations for last Christmas? Great, see if you can use anything from it, I am sure you can use most of it, if you are creative enough. After the festival is over you can again re-use them.

 Decorative things from your showcase or cupboards

Many times it may happen that lots of things in your house can be used for decorations though we are mostly unaware thinking either we have it or how can we use it.

Do you have anything seating in your cupboard or showcase for a while? Take a look if you can use it.

Lots of things are usually there like a flower vase which can be used to put fresh flowers, any hanging pot styled vase which can also be used. Any particular show piece which can be used by sticking or tying ribbons or shiny decorative garlands or flower garlands, etc. around it. It’s just a handy option which you can see if it works matching your decorations.

Lord Ganesha is considered to be the God of success and prosperity. Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with great pomp and zeal especially in Maharashtra. People enthusiastically participate in the celebrations. Devotees bring home an idol of Lord Ganesha and worship it for a period of 10 days or less. People also erect pandals in their housing societies or neighbourhood areas and keep Ganpati statues and idols for public Darshan following which they immerse the idol in water during Ganesh Visarjan.

 .   Celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in an Eco-friendly Manner.

To avoid causing harm to the environment, here are a few tips and precautions you can take to ensure that celebrations are eco-friendly:

Buy Eco-friendly Ganesha Idols

One can buy eco-friendly idols for celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi. Clay idols dissolve immediately in the water, greatly lessening or completely preventing water pollution. You can immerse it in a bucket at home also. If you are keen on buying POP idols, then you sprinkle a few drops of water symbolically and give it for recycling. Many people also use metal, stone or wooden idols and symbolically immerse it by placing it under water and then removing it and reusing the same idol every year. Ganesh idols made from mud are also eco friendly and immerse easily in water.

                                       .1.6 ANALYSIS

           

When water usage globally is increasing proportionately with the increasing population , environmental factors needs to be maintained , the above graph shows how the global availability is decreasing with the increase in population and hance the  usage of water.

The polluted water , post the pop ganpati idols in water bodies is alreadt polluting the present available water which is also impacting the ground water level and its availability , one of the major factors balancing our eco system.

          

                        . 1.6 Conclusion

Ganesh Chaturthi falls on the fourth day of the waxing moon according to the Hindu month of Bhadrapada. Devout Hindus eagerly await the onset of this auspicious time for the popular elephant-headed god, Ganesh, to grace their homes. The festival is a great unifier, as it brings together not only Hindus, but also members of other religious communities. The celebrations reach a climax with the immersion of the idol in a body of water. The immersion and dissolution of the idol in water represents the cycle of creation and dissolution in Nature.

When Ganpati idols are used made of materials which creates pollutants and harms the environment the commonly obserbed effects in brief are as follows:

Effect of Ganesh festival
a. Contribute to water pollution due to immersion of idol and organic waste
b. Contribute to soil pollution by dumping thermacoal decoration
c. The broken idols float on water affects sanctity of the festival
d. Un dissolved idols and non degradable material are blocking the natural flow of water and causing stagnation
e. Impact of noise pollution due to artificial sound system during procession.
f. Massive use of electricity in community and household level for decoration purposes.
g. Such pollution causes damage to eco system
Such pollution damages health by
a. polluting drinking water sources causing health impact
b. breathing and skin problems due to Gulal during procession
c. Noise pollution affect psychological problem like fear, nausea, hearing problem especially for adults and infants.

Since last few years Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, NGOs and environmentalists in Maharashtra are putting their efforts in creating awareness about eco friendly aspect of the Ganesh festival in the society. The result of these efforts is that there is rising demand of eco friendly Ganesh idols and decorations. To meet this demand it was observed that further Capacity Building for eco friendly options and approaches for Ganesh Idols and Decorations within the society found necessary.

  

                               1.7 Project Presentation

This project is aimed to build the “Capacity in different sectors of society for different options and alternatives for Ecofirendly Ganesh Idols and decoration” to meet the demand in the society. The idol is developed with 60% paper pulp and 40% shadu clay. The decoration is developed with cloth, paper and corrugated sheets. A pilot project for training of eco friendly idol, decoration and making of pape bags for waste flowers was implemented at Navi Mumbai in 2011 with financial support by Maharashtra Pollution Control Board in association with Navsamvedana Foundation and E Ganesh as local partners. Around 200 people from different sectors like Physically Handicapped Students, School Students, Art Teachers, Women Self Help Group, Prisoners, Artists and other interested people were trained.

Objective of the project was
a) To develop alternative to POP Idol
b) To develop alternative to Thermacol Decoration
c) To develop alternative to Plastic bag for Nirmalya Disposal

The process of the project starts with development of Trainers. 20 trainers were trained for making of Eco friendly idols with paper pulp and shadu clay, eco friendly colours with colouring methods and three decoration types with paper, cloth and corrugated sheets. With the help of few Trainers further training programs are executed

Apart from this a documentary and Book was published for “Alternative and Approached for Eco friendly Ganesh Festival” to disseminate the knowledge to masses. This not only speaks about idol and decoration but also other environmental issues like noise pollution during procession, electricity consumption etc.

In this project the support from Industrial Association and Trans Thane Creek Waste Management Association, Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation was received. The schools and women self help groups, some Idol making artist’s Association has expressed their willingness to start idol and decoration making on mass scale. This project was the demo project to showcase following aspects to express sustainability:

1. Capacity to supply the demand of idols and decoration in Navi Mumbai Corporation should be developed within their jurisdiction.
2. Association of NGOs, Government, Non government and corporate sectors.
3. Involvement of weaker sector in the society and educational institutes to develop social entrepreneurs and carrier avenues for future generation.

Achievement of the project is Environment Improvement, Economic up-gradation of weaker sector in the society which will result in to social up-gradation.

compiled by : Kiran and Madhuri

Reference Internet