HDMC promotes green Ganesh Chaturthi with digital certificates, plastic waste awareness
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The digital certificates serve as recognition of the citizens' commitment to environmental sustainability, potentially inspiring others to follow suit.
Moreover, the initiative's competitive element, which rewards 10 citizens who immerse their idols at home and plant a sapling in the clay and decorate with zero waste, further reinforces the message of sustainability and environmental stewardship. This aspect of the initiative not only reduces the waste generated during the festival but also contributes to urban greenery, enhancing the city's ecological balance, and also protects water bodies, sources, and others from getting polluted.
In addition to promoting clay idols, the HDMC is taking proactive steps to combat the menace of single-use plastic. The installation of a 20-foot-tall model made from plastic bottles and the establishment of plastic bottle collection points are innovative strategies to raise awareness about plastic waste. By collecting one lakh signatures, HDMC aims to galvanise public support against single-use plastics, highlighting their environmental hazards.
The 'Prakruti Ganeshotsav' initiative is a holistic approach to celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi in an environmentally responsible manner.
Mohan Chitale, a social activist, said that the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) embarked on a commendable initiative named Prakruti Ganeshotsav to promote the use of eco-friendly clay Ganesha idols over the traditional plaster of paris (PoP) idols during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival.
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This initiative is a significant step towards fostering environmental consciousness among the citizens of Hubballi-Dharwad, aiming to mitigate the environmental impact associated with the use of PoP idols, which are non-biodegradable and contribute to water pollution.
he said.
HDMC additional commissioner Vijaykumar R said a web portal to submit the details to get the digital certificate would be launched shortly.
Receipt of purchasing clay idol and photographs of the idol and mantap should be uploaded to get the certificate. Photographs and videos should be uploaded for the competition.
Web portal launched
The HDMC planned to launch the 'Eco Bhakti Sambhram' web portal with the tagline 'Parisarada Rakshane Vighneshanige Arpane'. It opened twelve collection points at twelve zonal offices, allowing interested individuals to contribute single-use plastic waste for the creation of a 20-foot-tall model. A selfie point will be created near the model, and a pledge board will be set up to encourage public commitments to environmental protection.
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