Plastic has no place in Ganpati celebrations

The use of plastics in decorations to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi still persists despite attempts to stamp it out. Environmentalists warn of the consequences of these actions

It is Ganesh Chaturthi, a festival which celebrates Ganesha as the God of new beginnings and the remover of obstacles as well as the god of wisdom and intelligence. It is a very important festival in the State which results in a partial shutdown. It is marked with the installation of Ganesha’s clay murtis (devotional representations of a deity) privately in homes and publicly on elaborate pandals (temporary stages). Observances include chanting of Vedic hymns and Hindu texts, such as prayers and vrata (fasting). Offerings and prasada from the daily prayers, which are distributed from the pandal to the community, include sweets such as modak as it is believed to be a favourite of Lord Ganesha. The festival ends on the tenth day after start, when the Murti is carried in a public procession with music and group chanting, then immersed in a nearby body of water such as a river or sea, called visarjana on the day of Ananta Chaturdashi. The pandals in which the clay idols of Ganesha are placed are decorated. Imagination runs wild. And sometimes no expense is spared. However, what is worrying is the use of plastic decorations.

Rajendra Kerkar, a green crusader in the state was very clear when he said, “Plastic materials that are widely used for decoration, are non - biodegradable, which result not only in polluting soil, but amount for air, water pollution. Hence, it should be discarded as far as possible. The people thought it would be helpful using plastic, rubber and thermocol. People can use it repeatedly. But it has a bad impact on the environment and ecology. In 1986, the Government of India came up with the Environment Protection Act. This act tells us not to use plastic. In spite of this, the act was not implemented hard and people started using plastic on a massive scale. Though, barks of Careya arborea ( Kumyo) tree are used for extracting fiber, but as in the past, bark was used for making shoes, it’s fibres are not used for tying the floral items to the wooden canopy over the head of Lord Ganapati. But instead, fibres extracted from Helicteres isora (Kevan) are used. Threads extracted from barks of the trees were biodegradable and eventually mixes with soil, enriching its fertility and productivity. Use of plastic, rubber, thermocol and other non-biodegradable materials during the festive occasions are seen continuously on rise, which result in increasing pollution. Instead of seasonal flowers, herbs, leaves available naturally, people prefer to use non-biodegradable as these materials are found to be durable for some period and considered to be feasible alternative. However, it is not so.”

He continued saying that Polyvinyl Plastic or PVC materials are also used widely during the festive occasions for decoration, which found most convenient, but hardly thought of having ill effects. He said that flowers, garlands, and trees of PVC materials look attractive and effective, but their impact on the local environment and ecology is irreparable.

Rajendra said it is important to remember that Lord Ganapati, is believed to be the son of the Goddess Parvati, who represents the mother earth and that is why long cherished tradition emphasis on use of seasonal wild flowers available locally. If these natural flowers, leaves, herbs are used properly instead of throwing directly into water bodies, we can transform it into making of the organic manure that can help in strengthening the soil fertility and productivity.

He said that as per traditions that prevailed in Goa and Konkan ancestors were using the clay idols painted in organic colours and for decorating were making use of naturally available materials. However, with the introduction of plastic, thermocol, rubber and other non-biodegradable materials, we drastically shifted from organic materials and this has resulted in spoiling of the environment and ecology, thus posing serious threats to Wildlife.

Another person who was critical of the state of affairs was Tallulah D’Silva, an architect and environmentalist who said people were still using POP idols and also harvesting and collecting the Matoli items. The Matoli is the crown above the deity. It is made of forest produce. People harvest them from the forest, she said. This leads to degradation of the forest because it was done in huge quantities. She said, “The floral offerings were made of plastic which is bad. Then firecrackers were also used though awareness has increased and that does not happen now.”

She said that several accessories used during the Ganesh Puja like plastic flowers, cloth, incense, camphor and numerous other materials are thrown at the time of immersion into the river. It is important to opt for biodegradable items that can be safely composted. Instead of using thermacol, POP and plastic which are non-biodegradable it is important to use decorative items made from paper, cardboard, cloth, bamboo, coconut or wood. Use real flowers, vegetables and fruits for matoli items as traditionally practiced.

One can only hope the hopes and dreams of these environmentalists come true and people reduce the use of plastic because in the long run it will come back to harm the environment.