Durga Puja celebrations embrace sustainability and eco-friendly themes

The Durga Puja festival in India is increasingly incorporating sustainability and environmental awareness into its traditional celebrations. Historically, the festival utilized natural materials like Ganga clay for idols and earthen or leaf-based items for food service. The decorative style known as ‘Daker Saaj’ originated from the use of imported silver and gold foil sheets delivered via postal services.

Recent regulatory changes, including the Government of India’s 2022 ban on single-use plastics and polystyrene, have forced artisans to transition from thermocol to materials such as iron, paper, clay, fiberglass, and cloth.

In the coal-mining region of Dhanbad, organizers have implemented a specific eco-friendly theme by decorating a pandal with approximately 100,000 plants. This initiative aims to raise awareness about the environmental impact of mining and tree felling, using the religious celebration as a platform to advocate for afforestation and ecological balance.