NGO collects used clay to make eco-friendly idols

Pune: Ecoexist, a city-based NGO, has launched an initiative called ‘Punarvartan 2023’ aiming to collect used shadu clay sludge during and after Ganeshotsav to repurpose it.The initiative is being conducted for the fourth year in a row and will be covering Pune and Nashik. This will be done for three days after the festival, with clay collection happening at various points in the city. In 2022, the campaign enabled the collection of 23,000kg of clay from 50 different locations and was returned to artisans for reuse. The clay is offered to artisans free of charge to ensure less use of PoP. Along with these sustainable efforts, artisans also use cow dung mixed with natural materials for idols. “We want to create a market for clay idols to encourage artisans to gradually reduce the usage of PoP. We have set up the system to create a cycle of collection and reusage for artisans. We have many on board, who will be taking atleast 5 to 10 tonnes of clay. This will give them an income of at least Rs 6 lakh. This year, the expectation is to collect at least 50 tonnes of clay. We understand that using clay is also not the most eco-friendly idea since it depletes natural resources; however, we are working on ideas to create other alternatives,” Manisha Sheth, the founder of Ecoexist, told TOI.The PMC has adopted the campaign by helping the NGO train 200 of the corporation’s sanitation workers. During this campaign, the organisation will be collecting clay from the PMC’s immersion tanks while collaborating with Swachh. “It is not completely possible to reduce the grandeur of the festival. However, we have promoted resusing materials in pandals instead of creating new items every year. Wood, fibre and other such materials are used to create the structures, and we do not throw them out. However, we are forced to use plaster or fibre-based materials. We cannot use natural materials since the pandals are so big,” said Kshitij Randhir, a film art director who also creates pandals in Pune.Mandals are now gradually adopting clay idols for immersion. “They have a permanent idol that remains with them, while they use clay idols for immersion,” said Randhir.
Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, and Mini Crossword.