As Chhat Puja Ends, Waste Gets Swept Into Rivers

“Clean-up” has a loose definition when it comes to picking up the remains of Chhat Puja.

Chhat Puja done, the worshippers leave a lot of waste on the banks of water bodies. (Photo: Abhay Sharma)

Plastic cups, bags and water bottles can be seen strewn by the river and canal banks as clean-up crews take down signs of the Chhat Puja celebration.

It’s a scene that replays itself year by year, puja after puja. Non-biodegradable waste is dumped in large quantities into rivers and canals that are already heavily polluted.

But as the current Delhi air pollution situation reminds us, taking care of the environment around is urgent – our lives and our health depend on it.

Over the last few years, environmentally friendly alternatives to plastic or plaster idols have emerged, but these alternatives still don’t make up a majority of the idols placed in rivers.

So the question that remains is, can humans all over the world celebrate nature without leaving their mark on it?

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Clean up crews came to clear the area following the celebrations. (Photo: Abhay Sharma)

Plastic cups were strewn by the canal banks. (Photo: Abhay Sharma)

Trash and puja remains left on the side of the canal were swept into the water. (Photo: Abhay Sharma)

The Quint visited the Ghat in Kalyanpuri, Delhi last year and found a similar scene.

Camera: Abhay Sharma

Video Editor: Purnendu Pritam