Durga Puja - the biggest festival of Kolkata and Bengal - begins 9 October this year. With a growing trend of “theme pujas” in the increasing commercialisation of the festival, we now also note that many have a “green” theme, with Puja Committees warming to the idea of eco-friendly pujas.
The eco-awareness campaigns (like phasing out lead-based paints for the idols) and events held by the state government have no doubt helped. But though there is no doubt a growing consciousness about environmental risk has developed, the trend of festival competitions, (and their big prizes,) taking in the eco-friendliness of a pandal as one of their award criteria has contributed the most to pandals striving to outdo each other with eco themes – often, though the result is not green at all… think of a great Mother Nature model, in her plastic glory.
Seeing the potential for motivating puja organisers to go truly green last year, beyond the cosmetic treatment the puja committees were giving it, EarthSmiles.net’s PlanetPoints (a voluntary eco-label) included a chapter for formalised certification of these pujas, as “Planet-friendly.”
Thus, a comprehensive evaluation document was created to guide willing puja committees to declare and improve their true green-ness, and create an Environment Management Plan. PlanetPoints auditors visited Puja committees as they planned their events, to collect the information and documentation required for certification and also attempted to inspire and guide puja organisers to be even more committed to greenness… before and even after their event.
Besides these pre-event audits, there will be a final on-site check by our environmentalist evaluators, after which all qualifying pandals from our shortlist will receive a certificate of compliance and be allowed to display the PlanetPoints Seal – proudly proclaiming their green credentials.
Last year the EarthSmiles.net PlanetPoints ratings team visited few notable puja pandals, like– Brindaban Matri Mandir Durga Puja (where pandal was made of mud and hay, with an interior of Bamboo sticks;) Laketown Adibasi Brinda (where the pandal was entirely made of jute and stripped bamboo;) and others. This year the commitment to green is going to be much further, from the water and food served to improving, not just restoring green areas, caring for strays, avoid all types of pollution and recycling materials from their pandals… yes, it’s a lot greener this year.
Of the many puja committees who voluntarily participated in the pre-event evaluation, eight have been shortlisted by PlanetPoints. Unfortunately, some Puja committees also opted out when approached earlier in the year, citing inability to cater to the requirements of certification, (give required information and committment,) or asserting they were famous enough, and did not need to be certified green, including a well-known one in Bosepukur.
“PlanetPoints Planet-friendly Sharod Samman”
While most of the “Sharod Samman” awards who have a green criteria only judge what they see at the actual Puja pandal, not the processes; or what happens afterwards, sometimes the really green pandals – who have built planet-friendliness into their organisational ethic - may not be recognised.
So, starting this year, EarthSmiles.net is instituting the “PlanetPoints Planet-friendly Sharod Samman” an honour for the truly green Pujas of Kolkata… inside out.
The best of these pujas (based on their PP score) will be awarded with a citation and a placque which will be conferred on the puja committee on Saptami morning, (11 October 2013,) by author Sreemoyee Piu Kundu.
Here’s to a greener puja in 2013! And with PlanetPoints planning even more focused c/c audits next year, here’s to a truly green celebration, year after year!
