The idea of eco-friendly idol immersion is slowly becoming popular in the city. Although only two community puja groups have chosen to dissolve idols on-site using water jets and cannons to protect water bodies from pollution, they are setting a positive example for others. Kendua Shanti Sangha Sarbojanin Durgotsab Committee, located in Patuli, carried out the immersion at their pandal with the support of the fire brigade and police on Monday night. The revelry of immersing idols is likely to remain eco-friendly is what Bappaditya Dasgupta, a local councilor, and the puja’s chairman has said while making such promises. "The green immersion was planned early and, accordingly, we applied to the fire department for water cannons and jets", said Bappaditya Dasgupta.
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| (Photo Credit: timesofindia.indiatimes)Kolkata Pujas Go Green, Idols Melted at Pandal for Eco-Friendly Move |
Throwing idols into rivers causes severe pollution, harming aquatic life due to the release of grease, heavy metals, and non-biodegradable materials, said environmental activist Naba Dutta.
The green immersion technique which involves using water jets and cannons to wash away idols, was pioneered by Tridhara Akalbodhon, an eminent Durga Puja of south Kolkata. This ended in the early 2010s, but another club - Tala Prattoy from north Kolkata – resumed the activity in 2022. Tala Prattoy even joined the Red Road puja carnival this year without an idol, showcasing their commitment to eco-friendly practices. "We showcased our immersion process on the big screen, along with a few pieces of installation art from the pandal," said Santanu Ghosh, club secretary.
Tala Prattoy’s puja curator, Sushanta Paul, was also involved in this year’s Kendua puja as the theme artist. Other offerings such as vegetable, flowers, plastic sheet, and polythene bags are also thrown into the water. Most idols comprise of materials such as mud, plaster of paris, varnish, and oil pigments. These colorings do contain some toxic ingredients like lead, chrome yellow, cadmium, and others. According to the report made by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in 1993-94, immersion process conducted in the Hooghly River discharged 16.8 tonnes of varnish and oil-associated wastes and 32 tonnes of heavy metal-laden colored pigments including lead, mercury, and chromium. This has escalated over time, causing further threats on the healthy state of the river.
Debasish Kumar, a key supporter of Tridhara Durga Puja and member of KMC, led the initiative to bring this green immersion concept to community pujas. "I got the idea from a Kali Puja immersion in Naihati that used the same process."
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