Young Climate Champions Lead MUKTI’s Green Durga Puja Initiative in Patharpratima

Durga Puja, Bengal’s biggest and most celebrated festival, brings communities together in a spirit of joy, devotion, and cultural tradition. Recognising the importance of celebrating responsibly while protecting the environment, MUKTI’s Amplifying Community Voice (ACV) Project continued its Green Durga Puja initiative for the second consecutive year, encouraging environmentally conscious celebrations across Herambagopalpur Gram Panchayat in Patharpratima Block.

On 4 October 2026, adolescent boys and girls associated with the project’s Climate Clubs took the lead in spreading awareness about eco-friendly festive practices. With support from Herambagopalpur Gram Panchayat, the young volunteers reached out to local Durga Puja committees and pandals, encouraging organisers and community members to celebrate the festival while minimising its environmental impact.

Empowering Young People to Lead Environmental Action

A key feature of the initiative was the active involvement of Climate Club members, who took responsibility for communicating environmental messages within their communities.

The adolescent volunteers participated in distributing Green Puja awareness posters and leaflets to Durga Puja committees across the Gram Panchayat area. These materials encouraged environmentally responsible practices and highlighted the importance of reducing pollution during the festive season.

Through their participation, the young Climate Club members demonstrated how adolescents can contribute meaningfully to community development and environmental protection.

The initiative also provided them with practical experience in community engagement, communication, and collective action, strengthening their role as young advocates for a cleaner and healthier environment.

Taking the Green Puja Message to Local Pandals

With the cooperation of Herambagopalpur Gram Panchayat, Climate Club members visited local Durga Puja committees and distributed awareness materials carrying messages about environmentally friendly celebrations.

Puja organisers were encouraged to display the posters and leaflets prominently at their pandals, allowing the messages to reach visitors, devotees, and other community members throughout the festivities.

By engaging directly with the committees responsible for organising the celebrations, the initiative sought to make environmental awareness part of the wider festive experience.

The approach recognised that community festivals offer valuable opportunities to reach large numbers of people and encourage positive changes in everyday behaviour.

Strengthening Community Participation for a Greener Festival

The Green Durga Puja initiative brought together Climate Club members, local Puja committees, and Herambagopalpur Gram Panchayat around a shared commitment to environmental responsibility.

The collaboration highlighted the importance of involving community institutions in promoting sustainable practices. While the Climate Club members helped communicate the message, the participation of Puja committees created opportunities to extend awareness to families and festival visitors.

The initiative also built upon the ACV Project’s efforts from the previous year, reinforcing the importance of sustained engagement rather than limiting environmental awareness to a single occasion.

By continuing the campaign, MUKTI sought to encourage communities to consider how cultural traditions and environmental protection can go hand in hand.

Nurturing Young Leaders for a Sustainable Future

The initiative reflected the broader objective of MUKTI’s Amplifying Community Voice Project, which encourages community participation and empowers young people to take an active role in addressing local environmental concerns.

Through the Climate Clubs, adolescent boys and girls are being encouraged to recognise environmental challenges, engage with community stakeholders, and contribute to locally relevant solutions.

The Green Durga Puja campaign demonstrated that meaningful environmental action can begin with simple steps, such as sharing information, encouraging responsible practices, and inspiring others to participate.

By placing young people at the forefront of community awareness initiatives, MUKTI continues to nurture a sense of environmental responsibility and collective ownership, working towards communities where cultural celebrations and care for nature can flourish together.