Tree Ganesha
‘Two Problems, One Solution’ that’s how commercial artist Dattadri Kothur from the spreading metropolis of Mumbai likes to call his eco-friendly initiative. Ganapati idols that the 31-year-old makes aim to tackle air pollution and water pollution. Dattadri’s research for environment-friendly Ganesh festival started young, at the age of 15, to be precise. In September 2002, when his teenage friends were busy savoring particular delicacies and welcoming colorful Ganapati idols at home, Dattadri was busy calculating the amount of electricity being used in lighting up the streets and individual houses of Lower Parel. Looking for an answer, Dattadri approached his parents, who then told him that during the Ganapati festival, households who bring Ganesha at home consume more energy than the ones who don’t, reason being, ferry lights, and bulbs used for decoration.
After experimenting with radium infused bulb to replace traditional lights, Dattadri came up with Ganapati idols made from clay and paper instead of using traditional non-biodegradable Plaster of Paris (PoP) that pollute the water bodies when the idols are immersed. To further reduce the impact on the environment of the festival, the following year. Dattadri decided to not pollute the already polluted water bodies further through idol immersion, instead, he used greywater or wastewater generated in his household to immerse his Ganapati idol.
After receiving support from his friends and family for his green endeavors, Dattadri started his own venture ‘Tree Ganesha’ in 2015 to spread awareness and involve more people in his mission of celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi in an environmentally responsible manner.
The idols are made from red soil and the base of the idols are stuffed with organic fertilizer and seeds. One entire day is devoted to making one idol and this year the 15-member team has got an order of 2,000 idols.
From 12 inch to 20-inch Ganpati, from seeds of tulsi, marigold, neem to ladyfinger, ‘Tree Ganesha’ has a wide range of idols. The idols are made from red soil and the base of the idols are stuffed with organic fertilizer and seeds. Depending on the size, the idols range anything between Rs. 2,000 and Rs. 4,000.
At the end of the ten-day festival, all one has to do is to immerse the idol in the plant pot. Within eight to ten days, the idols will dissolve, and the seeds will germinate into plants over time.
