Durga Puja Artists in Kumartuli Face Pressure Over Thermocol Ban and Tight Deadlines

Rapid Summary

• Idol makers in Kumartuli, kolkata, are facing challenges due to the ban on thermocol (polystyrene) ahead of Durga Puja.
• Thermocol has been widely used for making detailed decorations and ornaments for Durga idols; viable alternatives like traditional wood sponge (shola) are scarce and expensive.
• Kolkata Police conducted raids enforcing the thermocol ban,creating concerns about meeting deadlines and financial losses for artists who have already invested in materials.
• The decline in shola cultivation has left generational craftsmen with diminishing resources to maintain traditional crafts.
• Some artists have sought intervention from local MLA Sashi panja, requesting leniency until feasible substitutes can be found.
• Artists expressed fears stemming from last-minute enforcement of environmental regulations without adequate transitional measures or research into alternatives.

indian Opinion Analysis
The enforcement of West Bengal’s thermocol ban reflects growing efforts to address environmental degradation associated with non-biodegradable materials.However, this situation highlights a deeper conflict between cultural livelihood preservation and sustainability policies. Kumartuli’s idol-makers represent an intricate craft tradition tied to annual celebrations that considerably contribute to Bengal’s economy as well as its cultural identity.

While environmental initiatives are undoubtedly necessary, abrupt enforcement without transitional support threatens the survival of marginalized communities dependent on specific materials for their trade, risking both financial instability and artistic heritage loss. Policymakers might need broader consultations with affected groups alongside strategies supporting innovation in sustainable material use-balancing ecological goals with socio-cultural realities essential for festivals like Durga Puja.

Read more: source: the Hindu.