MUMBAI: This Ganeshotsav theres an added reason to go green as DNA along with NGOs from south Mumbai is organising a competition to award eco-friendly mandals.
Prizes worth Rs50,000 are up for grabs for three Ganesh mandals that decide to say no to plastics, thermocol and consume less electricity.

The competition is being organised in association with NGO I Love Mumbai and
Giants Group of Chowpattty. Partnering the initiative are United Phosphorous Limited and Lokhandwala Infrastructure. "The idea is to make a beginning and give a boost to an eco-friendly festival. Mandals which use non-polluting materials in their decoration will be awarded," said Shaina NC, one of the event organisers.

Stressing the need to go green, corporator Arvind Bane, who is part of the campaign, said, "Mumbaikars need to understand the importance of having an eco-friendly festival. In Pune, the bigger idols are not immersed. Instead people immerse small idols."

The decision to assess the decoration and not the idols was taken because most mandals select the idols sometimes six months in advance. "Even if we begin with the decoration, use of some amount of hazardous material will be reduced," he added.

Competitions will be held for Colaba, Malabar Hill, Mumbadevi, Khetwadi, Byculla, Sewri and Worli areas and will be only for sarvajanik or community mandals. The last date to register for participation is September 4.

Source : DNA