Hindu Pilgrimage Made Eco-Friendly with Cotton Bags

India has been becoming more and more conscious of the impact which humans are having on the environment, and has been particularly active against plastic bags. The production of plastic bags below a certain thickness has already been banned to prevent municipal drainage systems from becoming clogged up, and to prevent abandoned bags from being ingested by wildlife which mistakes it for food. However, the state of Maharashtra has taken things a step further by allying itself with the cotton bag.

Maharashtra’s Pollution Control Board, the Green Kumbh Committee, and the Bosch Company combined to offer 100% cotton bags for pilgrims during the three Shahi Snan days of Kumbh Mela in an attempt to ensure a complete absence of plastic bags.

Kumbh Mela is a large-scale Hindu pilgrimage of faith in which pilgrims gather to bathe in a sacred river. Often considered to be one of the largest peaceful gatherings in the world – drawing around 100 million people in 2013 – it also tends to place a significant strain on the local areas, particularly when it comes to pollution. For this reason, all plastic bags carried by pilgrims may be exchanged for a cotton one.

As outlined by Sudhir Yeolekar, Bosch vice-president: “We will be giving 5000 cotton bags to the pilgrims during each of the three shahi snans. We are distributing bags for the first time and are appealing to all to use cotton bags through our message in the bags – Say no to plastic.”

Unlike plastic bags, 100% cotton bags can be reused for years before they wear out, after which they can be recycled easily. Even if thrown into a landfill they will be able to biodegrade, whereas plastic bags will rot for hundreds of years.

Replacing plastic with cotton on such a large scale should do wonders. Additionally, bags will all be locally made, providing income for cotton growers, as well as women’s self-help groups and local printers. Organisers have even decided to provide pilgrims with the seeds of indigenous plants in order to encourage tree plantation. MPCB sub-regional officer Sanjay Bhosale stated that, “They can plant it anywhere they go. Even if they drop the seeds on the way, they will grow.”