NEWS WAVE INDIA: A group of dedicated climate activists, including Dr. Swati Nandi Chakraborty, Somini Sen Dua, and Ajay Mittal, have initiated the “Prakritir Pujo, Praner Pujo” movement, calling for the regulation of plastic banners during the upcoming Durga Puja celebrations. Driven by concerns over the detrimental impact of unregulated plastic use, the activists have appealed to the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) to take action against the proliferation of non-recyclable PVC banners, a long-standing issue contributing to severe soil, air, and water pollution.
Over the years, PVC banners have been carelessly discarded, ending up in landfills where they are incinerated, releasing carcinogenic gases into the environment. According to Dr. Swati Nandi Chakraborty, a climate activist and UNESCO Fellow, “FLEX contains dangerous chemical additives including phthalates, lead, cadmium, and/or organotins, which can be toxic to citizens’ health. These toxic additives can leach out or evaporate into the air over time, posing unnecessary dangers to society.”
Ajay Mittal, Director of Climate Change at Earthday.org, lodged a petition on change.org in 2022, which has now been revived with the support of Dr. Swati Nandi Chakraborty and Somini Sen Dua. The urgent need for attention to this cause has led to renewed efforts to address the plastic banner issue.
The plastic banners are not only environmentally hazardous but also pose fire risks due to their double or triple layers. Additionally, they mar the aesthetic appeal of the Durga Puja, which has been declared as intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO in 2021.
The climate activists proposed alternative materials for commercial advertisements during the festival, including digital platforms, cloth banners, canvas hoardings, and jute banners. These alternatives not only enhance the aesthetic beauty of the Durga Puja but also provide livelihood opportunities for local traders.
Expressing concerns about the rising cases of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Somini Sen Dua, Founder Director of Mrittika Earthy Talks Foundation, emphasized, “Durga Pujo is a sentiment that showcases Bengal’s unique art forms like potters, Shola accessories, pattachitra artisans, florists, pandal art, etc., and this heritage is obscured by the presence of plastic banners, undermining its aesthetics.”
Ajay Mittal, the main petitioner at change.org and Director of Climate Change at Earthday.org, has revived this petition ahead of the festival season to encourage a conscious effort to urgently appeal to the KMC and WBPCB to issue guidelines for the use and disposal of these banners. Globally, there are concerted efforts to combat plastic pollution and reduce plastic production, emphasizing the need for responsible resource usage.
As the Durga Puja festivities approach, these climate activists seek to preserve both tradition and the environment, hoping for a positive response from local authorities in Kolkata.