This year, Hubballi–Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) launched the innovative “Eco Bhakti Sambrama” campaign ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi 2025, urging residents to worship using only clay Ganesh idols and perform safe, eco-friendly visarjan at home or in municipal ponds.
This initiative encourages responsible celebration by asking citizens to immerse idols in buckets of water or small artificial ponds created by HDMC, protecting local water bodies from pollution. Officials including HDMC Commissioner Ishwar Ullagaddi actively involved local artisans and community volunteers to amplify awareness and ease adoption.
Residents and environmental experts welcomed the campaign, seeing it as an encouraging blend of faith and sustainability.
Uniting Tradition with Environmental Responsibility
Speaking about the campaign, Commissioner Ishwar Ullagaddi noted, “We want the citizens of our twin cities to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi with full devotion but without endangering our precious water resources.” The Corporation has set up over 100 temporary artificial ponds specifically designed for eco-friendly idol immersion, minimizing harm to natural lakes and rivers.
More than clay idol makers have partnered with HDMC to promote handmade, natural clay Ganesh idols over synthetic alternatives. The campaign reached communities through schools, local events, and social media platforms, encouraging widespread participation.
To facilitate safer visarjan, HDMC volunteers will be stationed at immersion points to guide families unfamiliar with these methods. An innovative feature of the campaign is a digital certification system allowing citizens to register their eco-friendly celebrations online through a dedicated portal, fostering a sense of pride and collective responsibility in preserving the environment.
The campaign website at ecobhaktihdmc.com offers detailed information and step-by-step eco-friendly celebration guides.
Why These Steps Matter
The “Eco Bhakti Sambrama” campaign’s emphasis on clay idols and safe visarjan practices in buckets or artificial ponds is a crucial advancement in environmentally responsible festival celebration. The hub of this campaign responds to long-standing environmental challenges caused by traditional immersion of Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols directly into natural water bodies.
Such materials do not dissolve easily and release toxic chemicals that pollute lakes and rivers, leading to the death of aquatic life and degrading water quality. The resulting water contamination also poses health risks to local communities relying on these water sources.
By encouraging citizens to use only natural clay idols, which dissolve harmlessly in water, the campaign significantly reduces the influx of non-biodegradable waste into fragile ecosystems. This conscious shift is not merely symbolic but a necessary adaptation to protect water bodies that serve as lifelines for many communities in Hubballi-Dharwad.
The provision of more than 100 artificial immersion ponds by the HDMC further mitigates pollution by containing idol remains in controlled environments, making waste collection and disposal easier and more effective.
The Environmental Imperative Behind the Drive
Previous Ganesh festivities in Hubballi-Dharwad have seen significant environmental degradation due to the immersion of idols made from harmful materials like Plaster of Paris (PoP). These materials contribute to water toxicity, leading to fish deaths and disrupting aquatic ecosystems. Following the festivities, civic authorities have struggled with the cleanup of volumes of waste and debris that pollute water bodies for months afterward.
Recognizing these harms, HDMC introduced “Eco Bhakti Sambrama” as a proactive measure to safeguard the environment and promote a culture of sustainable worship. The campaign draws inspiration from successful eco-friendly celebrations in cities like Bengaluru, Pune, and Hyderabad, which have reported cleaner water bodies and greater public awareness year on year. This effort reflects a growing awareness among citizens and officials alike that spiritual celebrations need not come at the cost of nature’s health.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The launch of “Eco Bhakti Sambrama” is a promising example of how civic administrations and communities can collaborate to harmonise religious practices with environmental stewardship. Festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi are not just about ritual but are deeply rooted in joy, unity, and a connection with nature. Encouraging the use of clay idols and contained visarjan techniques reflects a compassionate approach that honours this connection by reducing pollution and waste.
The Logical Indian believes that such responsible choices should be celebrated and emulated widely, as they have the power to create lasting positive change. By combining tradition with ecological mindfulness, communities affirm that devotion can flourish alongside care for the planet.
