Two years ago, Omkar Jagdale, a third-year Environmental Science student and college representative of Fergusson College's NSS Unit in Pune, first became aware of the initiative to recycle the clay from a Ganesh idol. After reading about the Punaravartan campaign in a college WhatsApp group, the 20-year-old became curious and offered to help. "I thought it was a great idea to recycle Ganpati. Both Bappa and the ecosystem benefit from it, according to Jagdale. 

After Ganesh idols are submerged, the Punaravartan campaign—an initiative of the eCoexist Foundation and coordinated by a group of sixteen organizations—aims to gather and recycle clay.

Jagdale volunteered with the campaign's Sinhgad Road Center during his first year of service. He carried out surveys, asking people if they make their Ganesh idols out of clay or plaster of Paris and if they would be open to switching to clay. The fact that about 90% of the people responded well to him encouraged him to try more. "Not many people knew when I was in my first year, but awareness is progressively growing thanks to encouragement from the media. More assistance is required; there is still work to be done, stated Jagdale. 

Over the last few years, 20,000 kg of clay has been gathered and given back without charge. This year, the Poornam Ecovision Foundation is hosting 60 collecting centers throughout Pune with the goal of gathering 50 tonnes of clay. Volunteers will be available to accept the clay at many locations on September 15 and September 22.

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has also endorsed the campaign ~ 

(Source: Google Images) 

PMC offered 50 dedicated immersion tank locations to collect the clay sludge from the idols immersed. Jagdale recalled a heartwarming experience from the first time he volunteered. “I was sitting at the centre, waiting for people I had spoken to during the survey to turn up with clay. One senior citizen whom I had not met before, came to me and struck up a normal conversation. After reading the board, he asked me about the campaign. He said that he had collected clay for the last four years. He got all the clay, and since then, he donates every year,” Jagdale said.

For the past three years, Namita Bhave, a postgraduate in the field of development, has volunteered with SWaCH waste pickers. They participate in the Nirmalya to Nisarga Initiative, which endeavors to gather votive gifts that are separated for the Ganpati festival. "I work with the waste pickers and visit the ghats where Ganpati Visarjan (immersion) is completed on the tenth day. I ask the people not to drop any materials in the water body," Bhave said.  For the past two years, Mrunal Karandikar, a student pursuing a BA in Psychology and originating from Satara district, has volunteered with Punaravartan. Karandikar, 19, initially learned about it from a friend. Although she was aware of it and only used natural clay idols at home, she was motivated to read about the effort to recycle the clay.  Pune's campaign success was showcased in front of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Afterwards, the Punaravartan campaign was to be implemented in 43 Amrut cities in Maharashtra, following the Pune model.