When Festivities Find a Greener Way to Celebrate

The PIB backgrounder highlights the integration of environmental responsibility into Indian festivals through initiatives such as 'Swachhata Hi Seva 2026' and its theme 'Swachh Parv, Harit Parv'. It details sustainable practices adopted during major festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi, Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath Puja. Examples include repurposing floral waste into compost and incense sticks by self-help groups in Ujjain, using artificial immersion ponds and traditional clay for idols in Maharashtra, utilizing bamboo and natural materials for pandals, promoting waste segregation and the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), and organizing zero-waste cleanliness drives across various cities such as Delhi, Patna, Indore, and Guwahati.