Environment Education Programme
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India
Environment Education Programme   
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  3 day ago

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

Eco-Friendly Ganesh Chaturthi: Transforming Tradition into Sustainability

Eco-Clubs under Ennvironment Education Programme in Goa launched the initiative “Go Green with Ganesh Chaturthi” to blend tradition with sustainability. Through pre- and post-surveys, workshops, and exhibitions, students and parents created eco-friendly Ganesh idols using clay and natural materials, fostering creativity, awareness, and responsibility towards celebrating festivals in harmony with nature.

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Under expert guidance, students crafted eco-friendly Ganesh idols using natural clay and colors, fostering creativity and environmental awareness. The initiative not only educated students about sustainable practices but also involved parents through a community presentation, highlighting the impact of eco-friendly celebrations. A post-survey analysis provided valuable insights, informing future actions and reinforcing the importance of environmentally conscious traditions. This project showcased the potential for cultural celebrations to drive positive environmental change.

The steps taken are as follows:

  1. Preparation: Planning and preparation for the campaign, focusing on eco-friendly practices.
  2. Workshop: Parents guided students in a workshop to create clay Ganesha idols.
  3. Hands-on Activity: Students prepared, painted, and displayed their idols, showcasing creativity.
  4. Exhibition: The idols were exhibited, allowing parents to view and appreciate the students' work. Some idols were made from coconut leaves and other eco-friendly materials.
  5. Feedback: Parents responded positively, praising the students' talents and the eco-friendly approach.
  6. Impact Assessment: A post-event survey was conducted to gauge the impact and gather feedback on the importance of eco-friendly Ganesha celebrations.

Action Taken

Eco-Clubs organized hands-on workshops where parents and students created eco-friendly Ganesh idols using natural materials like clay and coconut leaves. They were trained to make idols without special training, promoting self-sufficiency and creativity. The idols were exhibited, and presentations explained the significance of eco-friendly celebrations. A post-survey was conducted to measure impact.

Impact/Outcome

The initiative, which included a pre-survey, workshops, and a post-survey evaluation, significantly promoted eco-friendly practices and awareness. The pre-survey revealed that 44% of respondents preferred clay idols and 55% favored natural features. Most respondents were willing to spend moderately on eco-friendly materials, and some were ready to share on social media about the harmful effects of Plaster of Paris idol immersion.

The post-survey showed a positive shift in preferences, with more people emphasizing natural materials and decorations. Overall, the initiative successfully instilled responsibility towards the environment and encouraged sustainable traditions, proving that cultural celebrations can inspire meaningful change.

Content Provided by Environment Education Division, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change