Ganesh Chaturthi 2024: Why Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols are popular despite clay being eco-friendly

As Mumbai started celebrating its biggest festival Ganesh Chaturthi or Ganeshotsav on Saturday, over 62,000 idols were immersed in various water bodies in Mumbai on the second day of the festival on Sunday. As per the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), 62,569 idols were immersed in the sea, other water bodies and artificial ponds till midnight.

However, what happens to waterbodies after such large scale immersion of idols? The Arabian Sea off the Mumbai coasts experiences a fall of oxygen level by 50 percent right after the festival. Not only this, Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols release harmful chemicals in the water thereby affecting marine life. Why clay idols are not a popular choice despite being eco-friendly? As Maharashtra and several other states of India celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi, The CSR Journal takes a look into the advantages and disadvantages of clay versus PoP idols.

Earthen idols are eco friendly

Earthen idols are made from clay, so they are biodegradable and dissolve quickly in water. Hence the damage caused to the environment is less after immersion. This is why clay idols are a more eco-friendly choice.

PoP idols harm marine life

Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols on the other hand are non-biodegradable hence after immersion the pollution caused to the water body is significant. PoP idols release harmful chemicals into the water when immersed, take a long time to break down and are harmful for marine life.

Lack of availability of clay

Lack of availability of high quality clay which is needed for idol making is a major reason why not many idol makers prefer to create clay idols. A lot of people are compelled to purchase Ganpati idols made with Plaster of Paris due to scarcity of clay idols in the market. Also, a significant difference exists in the price as clay idols are costlier; hence there is an inclination towards the cheaper PoP idols.

Higher demand for PoP idols as cheaper

Good quality clay required to make idols are costlier than Plaster of Paris, hence the cost of the finished product is much higher. For example, if a PoP idol costs Rs 500-700, a clay idol of the same size and design would cost between Rs 1000-1500.

PoP idols are cheaper as compared to clay idols are easily available in the market. Hence despite warnings and appeal from authorities and environmentalists, they enjoy a higher demand in the market especially from community Ganeshotsav organisers where bigger idols are worshipped. However, for Ganpati organised at home, awareness is on the rise and more people are opting for earthen and other forms of eco-friendly handmade idols even though the number is negligible.

PoP idols can be reused

PoP idols have a hard surface and may seem to be more durable than their clay counterparts. They are not as delicate as the clay ones, are lighter by weight as compared to clay idols and comparatively easier on the pocket. However, it has been observed that over time they tend to develop cracks on the surface. However, PoP idol can be recovered and reused several times to make fresh idols for the festival next year.

PoP idols attract customer due to design

Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols are often a preferred choice among consumers not only because of their durability but also due to their intricate design and detailing. However, a lot of people do not even understand the difference between PoP and clay and buy whichever is cheaper.

How chemical colours affect waterbodies

Apart from the harm caused by the material with which the idol is made, the harmful chemicals used to colour the idols are also dangerous for waterbodies and marine life. Often highly toxic paints are used to colour idols which have poisonous ingredients like mercury, lead and sulphur. These chemicals poison the water not just killing the fish, but also risk the life of those who consume such fish. Idols made using organic colours may be costlier but do not have such a negative impact on the environment.