Mahabubnagar: A young man from Shivashakti Nagar is turning festivals into a chance to help the environment. For 16 years, Srikant Chari has been promoting eco-friendly clay Ganesh idols as a sustainable option to the harmful Plaster of Paris (POP) idols, which pollute water.
Srikant’s mission began in 2010 when he was a first-year B.Tech student. Seeing the environmental harm from idol immersions, he decided to act. POP idols contain harmful chemicals and don’t dissolve easily, harming aquatic life. In contrast, clay idols break down naturally and are safe for the ecosystem.
Each Ganesh Chaturthi, Srikant either crafts hundreds of clay idols by hand or brings skilled artisans from Kolkata. This not only spreads his environmental message but also supports these artisans’ livelihoods. With his brother Anil Chari, he sells the idols at Shivashakti Nagar Temple, Sunkulamettu Temple in Gadwal, and in Kalwakurthy.
Despite his full-time IT job, Srikant remains committed to this eco-friendly movement. His dedication has earned him great respect from the community, with both young and old supporting his cause.
“Festivals should bring joy, but we must also protect nature,” Srikant says, urging people to choose clay idols and avoid POP and plastic.
What began as Srikant’s personal mission has become a local movement, highlighting the importance of protecting the environment for future generations.
