Two Kolkata pujas take green step, melt idols at pandal

Kolkata: The idea of green immersion is gradually gaining ground in the city. Though only two community puja organisers have opted for in-situ dissolving of idols, using water jets and cannons, to save water bodies from contamination and pollution, they set an example for other organisers.

Kendua Shanti Sangha Sarbojanin Durgotsab Committee at Patuli held the immersion at the pandal — with the help of the fire brigade and cops — on Monday night. “The green immersion was planned early and, accordingly, we applied to the fire department for water cannons and jets,” said Bappaditya Dasgupta, local councillor and chairman of the puja, who promised to continue the environment-friendly immersion.

The immersion of idols in the rivers causes irreparable damage by polluting the water with grease, heavy metals and non-biodegradable materials, endangering aquatic life, said environment activist Naba Dutta. Several accessories of worship, such as flowers, food offerings, plastic sheets and polythene bags are also dropped in the water. The idols are mostly made of clay, plaster of Paris, varnish and oil paint. These paints are highly pigmented and consist of white lead, lithopone, chrome yellow, cadmium sulfide, barium chromate, vermillion and red lead heavy metal salts. A study by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in 1993-94 revealed that immersion in the Hooghly released 16.8 tonnes of varnish and garjan oil and 32 tonnes of colour, laden with heavy metals like manganese, lead, mercury and chromium. Over the years, the immersion load has multiplied, causing stress on the river’s health.

The green immersion model — of dissolving idols using water jets and cannons — was first adopted by Tridhara Akalbodhon, a south Kolkata big-ticket Durga Puja. But they discontinued the practice. However, another club — Tala Prattoy in north Kolkata — took it up in 2022. Tala Prattoy puja curator Sushanta Paul, who was involved in the Kendua puja as the theme artiste this year, said, “I insisted on this immersion to protect the environment for our future generations and to send out a positive message through the Durga Puja platform.”

Tala Prattoy puja organisers participated in the Red Road puja carnival this year without the idol. “We showcased our immersion process on the big screen, along with a few pieces of installation art from the pandal,” said Santanu Ghosh, club secretary.

Debasish Kumar, MMiC at KMC and key patron of Tridhara Durga Puja, who pioneered this green immersion in community pujas, said, “I got the idea from a Kali Puja immersion in Naihati that used the same process.”