Demand for eco-friendly idols rises

MUMBAI: With growing awareness about eco-friendly Ganeshotsav, there is a 100% rise in demand for clay or shadu Ganesh idols this year, according to Brihanmumbai

MUMBAI: With growing awareness about eco-friendly Ganeshotsav, there is a 100% rise in demand for clay or shadu Ganesh idols this year, according to Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samnvay Samiti (BSGSS), the body that gives permissions for pandals in the city

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“There is at least a 40% drop in manufacturing of Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols. Earlier this year, the government banned the supply of PoP from Konkan. So the idols are being made using PoP from neighbouring states,” said Naresh Dahibhavkar, president, BSGSS.

“Also, with an increase in awareness to safeguard Mumbai from beach pollution, more households are going for eco-friendly idols.”

Dahibhavkar said the idea that PoP idols should be completely banned in the state was first floated by state environment minister Ramdas Kadam during the legislative assembly meeting in December last year.

“There has been a huge demand for clay idols in Mumbai this year. However, idol makers have been able to provide approximately 30,000 clay idols,” said Vijay Khatu, idol-maker from Lalbaug, who has made over 250 idols in the past 40 years.

Sculptors said they cannot meet the requirement as making clay idols is a time-consuming process. An idol maker from Mumbai claimed BSGSS’ attempt to phase out PoP idols would affect idol makers across the state.

“Even with the current supply of PoP, we are unable to meet the demand for both sarvajanik and household idols,” said Ramesh Rawle, an idol maker from Lalbaug.