The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) is on a mission to make this year’s Ganpati celebrations more environmentally friendly. To achieve this, the corporation has launched a new campaign aimed at encouraging residents to embrace eco-conscious practices. As a first step, the TMC has partnered with idol makers, offering them free clay to craft their idols. This initiative is designed to encourage artisans to adopt clay as a more sustainable alternative to the commonly used, non-biodegradable Plaster of Paris (PoP).
The corporation believes that this move will not only promote environmental responsibility but also benefit the idol makers in the long run. The officials explained that using clay could significantly reduce raw material costs, which could potentially lead to lower prices for customers if the concept gains traction.
However, there are some challenges associated with using clay. While clay idols require more time to craft than their plaster counterparts, the raw material cost is often nearly twice as high. This ultimately leads to higher prices for finished clay idols due to the increased labor cost, overheads, and profit margins.
“Clay idols often command a 40-60% premium over PoP ones, leading to a higher demand for the latter and prompting more idol makers to opt for PoP idols, taking into account the commercial aspect,” remarked an idol maker.
To address this price disparity and encourage the adoption of clay, the Thane Corporation is taking a proactive approach. They have organized workshops and provided free raw materials to incentivize artisans to transition to crafting clay idols. The corporation is committed to ensuring that the final eco-friendly product is sold at a competitive price.
“We convened a meeting of all stakeholders early this year and communicated our intentions to provide complimentary clay and a designated area for crafting the idols within the city. Six idol makers responded to our initiative with their requirements, and four sculptors requested space to create clay idols. Accordingly, we have allocated three spaces in the Vartak Nagar Ward Committee area and one in the Majiwada-Manpada Ward Committee area. We anticipate the costs to be regulated and have obtained an undertaking that they will utilize the clay at their own workshops,” informed Manisha Pradhan, Chief Environment Officer at TMC.
In addition to providing resources, the corporation is also organizing an exhibition showcasing idols crafted using unconventional yet biodegradable materials to further promote the concept of eco-friendly Ganpati celebrations. This initiative aims to inspire both idol makers and residents to embrace sustainable practices during the upcoming festival.
