Pre- and Post-Surveys

CES assessed public attitudes through pre- and post-surveys, with 5,716 respondents participating initially and 4,698 respondents after the campaign.

Pre-Survey Findings:

• Idol choice: 1,353 clay, 316 PoP, 190 paper, 176 seed.
• Immersion practices: 1,682 in natural water bodies, 187 in artificial tanks, 135 at home.
• Decorative items: 579 plastic-based, 2,076 eco-friendly.
• Waste disposal: 864 open dumping, 541 in water bodies, 374 to municipal collectors.
• A key barrier to eco-friendly idols was cost and availability. Notably, 1,846 respondents sought training in sustainable idol making.

Post-Survey Findings:

• Idol choice: 1,071 eco-friendly (clay, paper, seed), only 150 PoP.
• Immersion practices: 962 in natural water bodies, 176 in tanks, 112 at home.
• Decorative items: 2,474 eco-friendly, just 430 plastic-based.
• Waste disposal: 1,032 to municipal collectors, 715 in open spaces, only 391 in water bodies.

These results show a clear shift toward eco-friendly idols, sustainable decorations, and responsible waste disposal after CES interventions.

Instructional Video on Sustainable Idol Making

To promote accessible and affordable alternatives, CES developed a professional instructional video with technical support from B.K. College of Art & Crafts, Bhubaneswar. A renowned sculptor demonstrated step-by-step techniques for crafting eco-friendly clay idols.

The video also introduced innovative seed-embedded idols that germinate into saplings after immersion—symbolizing both renewal and environmental restoration. Distributed via WhatsApp, YouTube, and mobile awareness vans, the video reached thousands of students and community members across Odisha.

Hands-On Workshops

In addition, CES conducted 10 workshops statewide, with participation from 1,000+ children alongside local artisans. Students created clay idols, often embedding seeds or using natural decorations. Beyond technical skills, the workshops instilled pride, creativity, and environmental responsibility.

Seed-based idol making proved especially popular, as it combined cultural devotion with biodiversity conservation.

Impact & Outcomes

• Public engagement of over 10,000 people across schools, colleges, and communities.
• 80% of schools adopted eco-friendly practices during Ganesh Puja.
• Significant decline in plastic decorations and PoP idol usage.
• Strong demand for skill-development training in eco-friendly idol making.
• Strengthened collaboration between Eco-Clubs, artists, and local communities.

Conclusion

The CES Eco-Friendly Ganesh Chaturthi 2025 initiative demonstrates how traditions and sustainability can complement each other. Through surveys, workshops, and innovative communication tools, CES succeeded in shifting community behavior toward eco-friendly idols, natural decorations, and responsible waste practices.

This model not only mitigates festival-related pollution but also inspires cultural practices in harmony with nature—paving the way for future generations to celebrate responsibly.