Assagao college’s eco-colour project employs locals, women

Panaji: In an initiative certified by the Goa State Pollution Control Board, Dnyanprassarak Mandal’s College and Research Centre (DMC) at Assagao used natural materials like turmeric, bixa seeds, beetroot, and indigo leaves to create the college’s eco-friendly colours ahead of Holi. Earlier, these natural Holi colours, created through a community-driven initiative, were officially launched by chief minister Pramod Sawant.

The non-toxic Holi colours made from flowers, seeds, and herbs not only provide environmentally friendly and skin-friendly options to consumers but also help provide livelihood opportunities to the local community. The colours were prepared in a community outreach project through members of the self-help groups, largely women’s groups, across Goa.

This initiative began as a pilot project in 2021, producing a few kilograms of natural organic colour, and expanded to produce nearly three tonnes of colour.

College principal D B Arolkar said the project is the institution’s commitment to environmental responsibility, which extends beyond campus initiatives such as rainwater harvesting and solar panels.

“We wanted to take our green focus beyond the campus. Commercially available colours are toxic with heavy metals like mercury, copper, and cadmium, as well as harmful adulterants that can cause long-term health issues and environmental damage. Our project has received strong public support and appreciation,” Arolkar said.

He said the project was possible with the collaborative efforts of the parents teachers association (PTA), the alumni association, the Goa State Biodiversity Board’s GoVan project, and the Goa State Pollution Control Board. DMC trained women self-help groups to produce these natural colours.