Ganeshotsav 2023: How idol makers and Mumbaikars are navigating challenges on the journey to embrace the eco-friendly Lord Ganesha idols

As Ganeshotsav approaches people are eagerly preparing to welcome Ganpati Bappa into their homes The city is adorning itself in anticipation of celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi with grandeur and enthusiasmThe 11day festival is scheduled to commence on September 19 this yearAs Ganeshotsav arrives the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation BMC has renewed its efforts to implement the Central Pollution Control Boardrsquos CPCB ban on Plaster of Paris PoP idols All the idols of Lord Ganesha which are up to four feet will mandatorily have to be lsquoecofriendlyrsquo the BMC had announced earlierAccording to the guidelines household Ganesha idols should not exceed four feet in height and should be crafted using shadu clay or other ecofriendly alternatives In May 2020 the CPCB issued guidelines banning PoP idols due to their significant contribution to water pollutionThis year the BMC will double the number of artificial lakes compared to last year for immersion of Ganesh idols The BMC wonrsquot allow immersion of PoP idols less than four feet in height into natural water bodies and hence around eight to 10 artificial lakes will be made available in each wardThe state government had permitted relaxation twice first owing to the Covid lockdown and second after mandals sought more time to switch to ecofriendly alternativesAlso read Mumbai In eco setback no action against PoP Ganpati idolsThe restrictions imposed by the civic body on Lord Ganesha idols made of PoP have become a contentious issuePositive responseFamous Girgaonbased sculptor Pradeep Maduskar of RV Maduskar Arts said he received more orders this year and people are opting for more ecofriendly idolsThere is awareness to opt for ecofriendly alternatives This year we have seen a rise in demand for shadu clay idols Last year we made 1200 shadu clay idols and this year we made around 1300 to 1400 shadu clay idols he informedShedding light on why there is a rise in the sale of PoP idols Maduskar said People mainly opt for PoP idols because of cost The PoP idols are cheaper than shadu clay idols In the last few years due to the rise in inflation and price rise people opted for cheaper options and hence the rise in demand for PoP idolsGirgaonbased resident Milind Vanarse who brings shadu idol is all for PoP ban ldquoI agree the PoP idols are lighter on the wallet as opposed to expensive clay idols But there are other ecofriendly options too like alum mud paper mache etc These are certainly not that expensive If we act today we can make a bigger difference tomorrow The move is not just for the environment today it is also for the future Every individual needs to take responsibilityrdquo Milind assertedWatchGanesh Chaturthi 2023 Visit these top 3 budget festive shopping markets in MumbaiKey challengesEchoing similar sentiments a PoP idol maker from Lalbaug who wished not to be named said the restrictions on PoP idols have pros and cons While PoP idols are lightweight and easy to carry shadu clay idols are heavy and fragile Even costwise there is a huge gap while PoP idols are cheaper in rate and shadu clay idols are costlier There is a difference of at least Rs 3000 to Rs 5000 People nowadays want cheaper options and thus go for PoP idols he sharedHowever restrictions on PoP idols have affected his business People have become more environmentally conscious and are opting for shadu clay idols Every year I sell around 200 to 250 idols but this year I only sold 150 idols he addedThe PoP idol maker from Lalbaug further said restrictions on PoP idols should be for everyone sans height restrictionsSunil Panchal of Shree Ganesh Chitra Shala in Lalbaug said they sold the same number of PoP idols as last yearNo one has cancelled any order this year Last year I made 300 PoP idols and 100 shadu clay idols This year too the number is the same Panchal saidPanchal who has been working in this industry for 13 years also said the raw PoP idols are brought from Pen in Raigad district We bring raw PoP idols from Pen We paint and decorate them here he addedExplaining why idol makers opt for PoP idols Panchal said Over 50 PoP idols can be made in a day as compared to just five clay idols This is a big differenceHe doesnrsquot want PoP idols to be banned PoP also dissolves in water Yes certain things dont but BMC authorities can collect those items and dump them at a safe spot Panchal mentionedEven Mahesh from Sai Ganesh Chitra Shala in Lalbaug said that business was as usual There was no decline in business this year but there is no growth too Last year I made 200 shadu clay idols this is also the same he saidSpeaking about restrictions on PoP idols Mahesh said There should be restrictions on PoP idols but who will make those many shadu clay idols Nowadays its difficult to find workers and artisans who will be ready to make shadu clay idols