Promoting sustainability and ecology through Durga Pujas

Kolkata celebrates Durga Puja with eco-friendly idols, tram rides, and waste segregation workshops to promote sustainable living and honour its UNESCO heritage tag. Sovabazar Sangrami Club, SwitchON Foundation, Auth’n, UVVA, and CTUA have joined hands to spread awareness about responsible resource management and eco-friendly Pujas.

With nearly 43,000 community Durga Pujas being observed across West Bengal, the issue of responsible resource management and ecologically friendly Pujas has been a question that Puja organisers and the State government have not given the attention it deserves.

The organisers of Durga Puja at Sovabazar Sangrami Club have taken note of the concerns this year and designed the idols made from non-recyclable materials like electronic waste and metal scraps like DVDs, CDs, clocks, keyboards, CPU monitors, and others. These materials have been used for decorating the pavilion and also for developing the illuminated fixtures. Along with the Puja pandal, SwitchON Foundation, an environment conservation society and Auth’n, UVVA have joined hands in organising the unique Durga Puja in north Kolkata.

“Cultural heritage can shine even brighter when it walks hand in hand with responsible resource management for a better environment,” said Prabir Mitra, chairperson Sovabazar Sangrami Club. The theme of the pandal conceptualised by Auth’n by theme artist Raktima Banerjee, the theme was implemented by UVVA in collaboration with SwitchON Foundation as knowledge partners and Hulladeck Recycling as e-waste partner.

“Resource reuse is the fundamental principle of sustainable living. By extending the life cycle of products and materials, we not only reduce the strain on our planet’s resources but also contribute to a healthier, more resilient future for all,” said Vinay Jaju, managing director of SwitchON Foundation.

Trams and Durga Puja

A few days ago, in an attempt to promote sustainable transport during the Pujas a special tram ride called “Tilottama Tramjatra’‘ was organised with the intent to spread awareness about sustainable transportation and the UNESCO Heritage tag associated with Durga Puja. In December 2021, Durga Puja in Kolkata was accorded the UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The global recognition has added to increasing the global footprints of the festival.

Trams, which run on electricity have always been the most ecological means of commuting but the number of trams have been dwindling with over a handful of routes being in operation.