It is necessary to develop thinking among citizens to use Eco-friendly things. I always suggest to my students that they should make greeting cards and gifts using existing material from home, in stead of buying them
Pl share hoe about making festivals Eco-friendly?
Festivals bring people together in celebration and merriment. Festivals are celebrated all over the world but in a country like India, festivals can assume mammoth proportions. Festivities take place in every part of India all throughout the year. While festivals are supposed to be peaceful homage for gods and goddesses, it has now turned into something else. Festivals are nowadays commercialized celebrations that wreck havoc and pandemonium in more ways than one. They are now one of the major sources of air, sound, land and water pollution. In spite of taking several steps to curb the pollution, it is the lack of awareness among the general population that still needs to improve.
Let us make an effort to have pollution-free festivals this year. Eco-friendly festivals are gaining momentum among the masses gradually. Eco-friendly festivals are celebrated in such a way so as to bring minimum or no harm to the environment. It is through the initiative of each one of us that we can bring about eco-friendly festivals for years to come.
- Idol immersion
No matter what the festival, it invariably ends with idol immersion in nearby lakes or rivers. This can be extremely damaging for the fishes and other water plants and animals. The Plaster of Paris (POP), which is used to make the idols give out toxic chemicals like sulphur, magnesium and phosphorous. The toxic chemicals pollute the water and make it acidic. This can be deadly for the fish population. Moreover there are many people who take a bath in these waters. These people are likely to face a host of health problems in the near future. The way out of this is to make the idol with biodegradable or recyclable materials. Instead of immersing the idols, make ritualistic immersions in buckets. If the idol is too big, why don’t you keeping using the same idol every year? This is a wonderful way of avoiding any pollution. Furthermore, avoid using thermocol or plastic items in your festivities. Use clay or recycled paper instead.
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- Other toxic waste
Idols are not the only things that are immersed in the water. Along with the idols, a lot of plastic items used in worship and thermocol also end up in the water. These are all biodegradable items that don’t dissolve at all- rather they keep on accumulating in the water and choking the river streams. Also, they give out toxic fumes.
- Chemical colours
Holi, a festival of colours is celebrated all over the country. Now while the festival is indeed a bright and colourful one, our futures may not be like that if we keep on using toxic colours. Chemical colours like black, green and blue contain harmful ingredients like lead oxide, mercury sulphite, copper sulphate and aluminium bromide. Health problems arising out of these chemicals are many- ranging from dermatitis to cancer. Also, they mix with the soil and pollute the land or get washed by the rivers and pollute the water. As an alternative, we can use organic colours instead. Made from chemical free natural products, these organic colours don’t damage our skin and hair. They also don’t cause a health concern and is safe for the environment too. You can even make these organic colours at home with the help of flower or plant extracts. In addition, try playing with dry colours to save water. Use henna or turmeric powders for playing or buy organic colours from local shops. You also must stop playing with plastic balloons filled with coloured water. Not only are you wasting water, but also using unnecessary plastic.
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- Fire crackers and electric lights
Although diwali is supposed to be a festival of lights, we see that it has rather turned into a festival of noise. Burning crackers has become a ritual in this celebration but we fail to realise that we this is a major noise hazard. Blaring loud music and noisy firecrackers can cause a lot of health problems. Moreover it even affects animals and birds. Some fire crackers also give out poisonous gases that contaminate the environment massively. The smoke coming out of the fire crackers have the potential of causing serious lung problems, especially among children. Asthma is a common ailment seen among children that may have to do with this. This diwali try burning fewer crackers for the sake of your children. Also, instead of using electric lights that use a lot of energy, try using candles or LED lights. Refrain from listening to loud music as well.
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There are some other simple tips that can be followed if you want to have a completely green eco-friendly festival from now on. Use recyclable or reusable items in your festivities. Avoid throwing anything out. It is also important to inspire others to do the same. Try and make others aware of the health and environmental concerns related to festivals and make them opt for eco-friendly festivals too.
Thank you very much for your answer Dr Jack Son and Barbara Sawicka. Good answers
Festivals, festivities, celebrations are a joy to life, periodically to our days of joy, scientific in the university, days for the participation of NGOs and the environment, supporting cancer patients as a running race, etc. Most of these celebrations are environmentally friendly, Accompanied by the presentation of eco-friendly environmental products
There are many Eco-friendly things can used during festivals without environmental disturbance .Here i mention 6 different ways to celebrate pollution free, safe and noiseless:
1. Go Firecracker Free :
Though small bonfires also contribute to increase of carbon-dioxide, however, it is safer than bursting large amount of crackers.
- Top it with homemade delicacies! Sing a song or two instead of playing loud music for hours together.
- For die-hard lovers of crackers, there are eco-friendly fireworks made from recycled paper.
2. Natural Rangolis :
Quit artificial colours to make rangolis, rather use pulses, rice and flowers for the same.
3. Re-cycled Decorative Items :
To brighten up homes, you can make recycled paper lanterns, use traditional diyas or LED lights, wooden dolls and decorative items, leaves and flowers for adorning walls and home interiors .
5. Diyas and Lamps Made From Mud :
Best way to combat non-biodegradable debris is to substitute plastic and such material lamps with earthy dias and lamps.
6. Serve Food in the Nature’s Basket
You can make snacks and sweets healthier and environmental friendly for your loved ones.
The selection of environmentally friendly materials and activities during public ceremonies is a heavy burden on learners and intellectuals towards society. Therefore, the promotion of environmental awareness and culture is the most important task that needs to be undertaken before embarking on any community activity or effectiveness.
Dear Dr. Sheth,
You know the nature of common people.
Most of them through the plastic packets, foam (plastic) plates, plastic glasses etc. in the drain instead of garbage box after their use in festival/ feast/ occasions etc.
Preparation of rules to use compulsorily the biodegradable plates etc. in all festivals or punishment for throwing of plastic packets in drain etc. will not work.
COMPLETE BAN on production of such things is THE ONLY WAY to control their use in India.
Many biodegradable alternatives ( as plate made by Sal leaves) are available in India.
But our politicians may not agree to do it due to the pressure of plastic lobby and some other related reasons, I think.
I express my feelings of gratitude to my dear RG Colleagues Houda Kawas, Furqan, , Ali, viji Viji, Nada-A-Rasheed, Isam Issa Omran, Pattanayak, Harry Barton Essel, Aparna, and Nabeel. I have been able to get many satisfactory answers
Use earthen diyas - There's nothing more charming than the good-old oil diyas. Ditch the electric lights for traditional diyas. This way, you won't just be saving the environment, you will also be supporting local artisans who make these diyas. And painting diyas are a fun school vacation activity.
Make rangolis with organic colours- Colourful and intricate rangolis round up that festive look in your house. This time, choose organic colours over chemical ones. You can even create one using flowers and leaves.
Protect your furry friends - Diwali can be a very frightening and confusing time for your pets. You could request your neighbours not use crackers for the sake of the pets in your area. Take them for a walk in the day before the festivities start. Always shelter a terrified stray when people go berserk with crackers in the evenings.
Be smart with your home decor - You don't have to always go shopping for your home decor during Diwali. The internet is full of creative DIY ideas and you'll be surprised that your house is already full of interesting stuff. For instance, all those redundant CDs can make for a gorgeous chandelier.
Donate all your old stuff to the needy - During your de-cluttering activities at home, make sure you sort out your old and unwanted things for the poor. Making the underprivileged happy is one of the best ways to celebrate Diwali.
Volunteer for an NGO - This Diwali, NGO Rahi is working hard to protect children and give them a better life. With your support, a child can stay away from working in firecracker factories and get access to education. Stop child labour and make it a Happy Diwali for children.
Ditch plastic for packaging gifts or food - Opt for handmade paper while wrapping gifts and packaging food items during the festivities.
Discard waste responsibly - From crackers to home decor, festivals produce a huge amount of waste. This Diwali, make an effort to separate bio-degradable and non-bio degradable waste. Take the effort to clean up your society/locality after the celebrations are over.
Try preparing sweets at home - Buying sweets in shop is easy, but a fun way to engage everyone at home is to make sweets like Ladoos, Gulab Jammun and Kheer. Try and take your own containers and not using cellophane and other packaging at the sweet shops.
Recycle stuff- Don't trash your diyas and other home decor, it can always be used next year. It's the best way to save money and not add to the waste.
Smiling is the most "eco-friendly" celebration you can share.
Highly recomended !!!
It is an interesting idea. There is also a practical example in my country. Kids and yoing peoples usually exchange and give own hand drawn flowers to the elders during the new year holiday. Now, it is considered as a culture and no body is buying gift from the market. I hope, our culture will compliment positively your interesting idea.
Environmentalists must liaise with the festival organizing committee in the host communities to plan the festival programme effectively by adding greening activities such as tree planting, de-silting of choke gutters etc.
Also, a monitoring team must be set up to check the build-up of waste and refuse and all other unfriendly environmental activities.
People need to realize that just as it is important to performing rituals and enjoying festivals, it is equally as important to keep air, water and soil safe and untainted. There are several ways by which we can perform ritual without harming environment. Using natural colours, stopping fire crackers burning, making idols with biodegradable or recyclable materials and immersing them symbolically into the tanks rather than in water bodies like river, ponds, etc. are some of the ways to celebrate the festival in an ecofriendly way.
