Eco-friendly Durga Puja Pandals in 2008 – Lead free colors and no chemical paints

At least some Durga Puja pandals in 2008 in Kolkata are trying hard to become eco-friendly amidst rising cost of raw materials. These pandals are trying to avoid the use of chemical paints. Idols of Durga will be adorned with natural paints. Salt Lake Puja Committee which attracted maximum crowd during last year with the Harry Potter’s Hogwarts Castle is in the forefront of Eco-friendly Durga Puja drive.
What difference does the use of natural colors make? A lot! Durga Puja idols painted using chemical colors have high percentage of lead and other toxic chemicals. When the idols are immersed they pollute water bodies and rivers, especially Ganges which provides water to millions of people. This water when used can cause itches, rashes and other skin diseases in humans plus damage done to the ecosystem is unimaginable. Drinking water contaminated with lead and toxic chemical is slow poisoning.