Speak up Mumbai: G for Ganpati, G for green: For an eco-friendly festival

Last week the Bombay High Court refused to grant any relief to Thermocol Fabricator and Decoration Association, to allow the sale of thermocol for decoration, during the forthcoming Ganesh Festival. The association moved court in the wake of plastic and thermocol ban stating that it would hit 40,000 jobs. 

The court, while turning down the plea noted that the court cannot ignore the adverse effects of plastic waste on the environment, and the ban does not infringe on the Fundamental Rights of citizens.

Though there is a sense of persecution amongst a few who feel that the ban will affect aesthetics and economics of Ganesh pandals, many have welcomed the order. DNA spoke to citizens and organisers on how they would deal with the ban.

VOICES

I have always believed in celebrating Ganesh festival or any other festival in an eco-friendly way. My family has always celebrated the festival the eco-sensitive way, using cloth, wood, and paper tfor decoration. Also instead of using plastic plates, we use banana leaves for distribution of prasad. Thermocol is hazardous to environment and human health, it is highly flammable and can choke marine life. It ends up as flotsam on water bodies, clogging water bodies. Eco-friendly celebrations won't bring down its grandeur, it will spare aquatic lives as well. Even the gods will be happy with eco-friendly celebrations.
— Rajesh Vanzara, Fort

It's a good decision by the authority. It should have been done at least 15-20 years ago. Thermacol ban will not affect celebration of Vinayaka Chaturthi. There are multiple inexpensive yet beautiful ways to make our festivals eco-friendly. A few years ago, floral decorations were used to beautify the pandal, not thermocol. As an artist, my preparation for Ganesh Chaturthi has not got affected at all. Since last seven to eight years, I am following multiple eco-friendly ways for decorations. For a shorter period fresh flowers can be used, for a longer period we can opt for artificial flowers. Apart from this, people can use a variety of clothes, different patterns of papers for the same.
— Abhishek Satam, Lalbaug

If one wishes to celebrate a festival in an eco-friendly manner there is always a better alternative. We had been avoiding thermocol for long, had even encouraged others to do so. The best way is to keep minimum decoration. Instead of flower garlands, we make medu vada or eatables which can be distributed as prasad later.
— Satya Naidu, Ulwe

We will use wood, cloth, and fibre that are long-lasting and eco-friendly as well. We will paint them to improve its look and overall design. It's a way to celebrate keeping the planet in mind, Doing away with thermocol is a good thing and it's an excellent step taken by the government.
— Uday Salian, Andheri and spokesperson for Andheri Cha Raja

The decision thermocol ban has been taken to protect the environment. Everyone should support the cause. We have eco-sensitive alternatives to decorate puja pandal. It's hardly been 10-15 years that we stated thermocol for decoration. We can shift to other ways of decoration keeping our planet in mind.
— B B Bhagat, Chembur

Ever since I started Ganesh puja at my place in Worli seven years ago, thermocol was used for decoration. With the ban in place, we have started looking for alternatives. Thermocol ban has not posed a big challenge for us. Décor has been made from clothes and cardboards as well, and I think it will look equally gorgeous.
— Deepika Patil, Worli

Decorations are a vital part of any festival in India. Over the years, thermocol has become a household product when it comes to decortating house during festivals. Now that the High Court has banned its use, everyone will have to look for other available alternatives. I don't think the ban will affect the joy of festivals to a great extent.
— Ravi Vyas, Bhayander

Thermocol is used excessively during festival and the waste is difficult to get rid of. We tried to reuse it, but that would fail. Thus, we stopped using thermocol from 2016. We have shifted to flowers, paper, and cloth. With the plastic ban coming in, we would shift to paper or leaf plates.
— Yashraj Akashi, Dadar

EXPERT SPEAK

The ban is a welcome move. We never used thermocol to decorate our pandals. We always used wood and cloth and other eco-friendly items. The ban, though, is important keeping in mind the health of the planet, Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most important festivals in the state. The government should also come up with alternatives and make them available.
— Balasaheb Kamble, president, Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal

We respect the HC order as it is for the betterment of the environment, though, a few days ago we had written a letter to the environment minister to give some concessions on thermocol usage for this Ganesh festival. However, the state government should have come up with alternatives. Those selling cardboard alternatives have hiked their prices. We don't have much time to look for alternatives.
— Naresh Dahibhaukar, president of Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti