Pune: A total of 410 idols were sold—210 made from Shadu clay and 200 from Sangam (red) clay under the eco-friendly Ganeshotsav initiative launched by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), in collaboration with Liberty Earthware Art and its environmental department.

The aim of the unique initiative titled "Our Idols, Your Price" was to encourage citizens to purchase Ganesh idols made from natural, biodegradable materials like Shadu clay and Sangam clay, rather than idols made from Plaster of Paris (POP), which are harmful to the environment.

The two-day sale, held at the Ghole Road Art Gallery, saw an enthusiastic response from Pune's citizens. The initiative began just a day before the Ganesh festival, with minimal advertising or awareness campaigns, yet it managed to attract over 400 buyers, reflecting a growing consciousness among the citizens about the environmental impact of their choices.

The Shadu and Sangam clay idols are not only eco-friendly but also practical. These idols dissolve in water within two hours, making the immersion process quick and less harmful to water bodies.

Furthermore, the water used in the immersion process can be reused to water plants at home, making it an environmentally sustainable option.

Each idol sold was approximately one foot in height, ideal for household installations during the festival. With the positive response to this year's initiative, the PMC plans to expand the project in the coming years, hoping to make eco-friendly celebrations a mainstream choice for the city’s residents.

The PMC’s environmental department emphasized the importance of using natural materials for idol decoration and encouraged the public to avoid POP idols, which not only pollute water bodies but also take years to decompose.