Pune: The Alandi Municipal Council has launched an initiative to celebrate this year's Ganesh festival in an eco-friendly way in Alandi and its surrounding areas.

As part of the 'My Earth Campaign', the council organized a workshop on crafting Ganesh idols using natural clay. The event saw enthusiastic participation from municipal officials, employees, and school students, all contributing to the making of eco-friendly clay idols.

Chief Officer Kailas Kendre highlighted the environmental concerns associated with the Ganesh festival, noting the widespread use of Plaster of Paris idols, toxic paints, plastic, and thermocol decorations.

"These materials are non-biodegradable and toxic, and their immersion in water bodies like rivers, lakes, and wells leads to persistent pollution, endangering aquatic life.

By promoting the use of eco-friendly idols and decorations, as well as composting floral offerings, we can significantly reduce water pollution during the festival," he said.

Eco-friendly idols include those made from natural clay, which is free of toxic substances and dissolves easily in water, thereby preventing any form of water pollution.

The Alandi Municipal Council organized this workshop to encourage Ganesh devotees to avoid purchasing idols that do not dissolve in water and contribute to water pollution, and instead opt for eco-friendly clay idols or make them at home as a contribution to environmental conservation.

School students, teachers, municipal officers, and employees of the Alandi Municipal Council participated enthusiastically in the workshop. Sharad Lohar provided guidance on making the clay idols.