How to maintain the beauty of Sharadotsav without harming the environment? To convey this, the Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre (VECC) took the initiative this year. This is part of the 'Swachh Bharat' campaign that the centre has launched across the country. Jadavpur University, the Central Pollution Control Board and Rotary International District 3291 were associated with VECC. A set of 49 questions from VECC scientists was given to 160 puja committees in Kolkata and the state. The goal is to create awareness about what causes how much pollution, which materials should be used, and which should not.
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Some questions in the set were – whether the organisers know that single-use plastic, thermocol, and vinyl flex are prohibited or that DJs and loudspeakers cannot be played in pandals after 10 PM. Whether environment-friendly methods are adopted for waste processing, whether arrangements for helmets or harnesses are made for pandal workers to ensure their safety, etc.
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Sharadotsav is not merely a puja or festival; its impact on the economy is also significant. Multiple surveys have revealed that businesses worth at least 40 thousand crore rupees and livelihood arrangements for thousands of people are connected with Durga Puja. But in this massive activity, the environmental aspect remains neglected. Hence, awareness is needed. Suman Guha, joint secretary of VECC's transparency committee, says, "A committee in Medinipur has done puja this year with the theme of plastic pollution in the sea. Good initiative. Yet the pandal is made of plaster of Paris. The organisers had no idea that this harms the environment."
Alongside, the centre has also collected water samples to measure pollution at various ghats in Kolkata before, during and after the puja. Director Sumit Som's statement, "Our scientists are researching various types of pollution measurement and its possible solutions from Gangotri to the seacoast. This is a time-consuming and long-term process.'" Time will tell whether their initiative will be successful. But many consider the fact that scientists have intervened in a neglected issue like the environment during the puja as the first step towards success.
