Why Chhath Should Be Plastic-Free for the Sake of Fish and Birds

Chhath Puja, one of India’s most sacred festivals, symbolizes gratitude to the Sun God for sustaining life on Earth. It is deeply rooted in purity, discipline, and devotion. Unfortunately, the rising use of plastics during rituals has begun to pollute the very rivers that sustain life. This pollution affects fish, birds, and the environment. A plastic-free Chhath preserves both spiritual and natural sanctity.

• Chhath Puja reflects the ancient Indian belief that nature and divinity are inseparable.
• Devotees offer prayers to the Sun while standing in rivers and ponds, symbolizing respect for water as a life-giving force.
• The rituals traditionally use natural items like fruits, sugarcane, earthen diyas, and bamboo baskets.
• However, in modern times, plastics such as bags, bottles, and decorations have replaced these eco-friendly items.
• This shift disrupts the sacred balance between devotion and environmental care that Chhath originally stood for.

• After rituals, plastic plates, cups, and packaging often end up floating in rivers and ponds.
• These plastics do not decompose and remain in water for decades, releasing harmful chemicals.
• According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), festival-related waste significantly increases river pollution during Chhath in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
• The pollution not only makes the water unsafe for humans but also endangers aquatic life that depends on it.
• Keeping ghats clean and plastic-free ensures that the sacred rivers remain pure and life-supporting.

• Fish often consume small plastic particles, mistaking them for food, which leads to choking or death.
• Toxic substances from plastics enter their bloodstream, affecting growth and reproduction.
• The National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) found that microplastics are now present even in freshwater fish in India.
• Floating plastic waste reduces oxygen levels in water, suffocating small fish and aquatic plants.
• A plastic-free Chhath helps restore the ecological health of rivers, protecting fish species that are vital to the food chain.

• Birds like pigeons, sparrows, and cranes feed near riverbanks and ghats during Chhath.
• They often swallow plastic wrappers or get entangled in plastic threads and bags.
• Ingested plastic can block their digestive tracts, causing slow starvation and death.
• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) reports that urban bird mortality is often linked to plastic waste near water bodies.
• By keeping Chhath eco-friendly, devotees help protect birdlife that plays a key role in maintaining natural balance.

• Use biodegradable materials like leaf plates (pattal), clay diyas, and bamboo baskets.
• Carry offerings in cloth or jute bags instead of plastic ones.
• Avoid synthetic garlands or decorations; use flowers and banana leaves.
• Local bodies should place waste bins near ghats and ensure proper waste collection.
• Families can organize clean-up drives after rituals to prevent any waste from entering the water.
• Such steps make the festival more meaningful and environmentally responsible.

• The essence of Chhath lies in cleanliness, simplicity, and gratitude to nature.
• Using plastic contradicts these core values by harming the very elements worshipped — water and sunlight.
• Government initiatives like Namami Gange, Swachh Bharat Mission, and Plastic Waste Management Rules 2022 emphasize reducing single-use plastic, especially near water bodies.
• When devotees adopt eco-friendly practices, they honor both their faith and their duty to the planet.
• A truly divine Chhath Puja is one where every act of worship reflects care for the Earth and all its creatures.

Chhath Puja teaches harmony between humans and nature, but this harmony fades when plastic pollution enters sacred rivers. Protecting fish, birds, and water bodies during the festival is not just environmental awareness it is an act of devotion. A plastic-free Chhath revives the festival’s true spirit, where faith shines as brightly as the rising sun over clean, living waters.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How does plastic affect fish during Chhath Puja?
   
   Fish often swallow plastic waste, leading to choking, poisoning, and the collapse of aquatic life cycles.
2. What alternatives can devotees use instead of plastic?
   
   Devotees can use leaf plates, clay diyas, bamboo baskets, and cloth bags for offerings.
3. What is the government doing to reduce plastic pollution during Chhath?
   
   Initiatives like Namami Gange, Swachh Bharat Mission, and Plastic Waste Management Rules 2022 promote plastic-free and clean celebrations.
4. How can individuals contribute to a plastic-free Chhath?
   
   By avoiding single-use plastics, participating in ghat clean-ups, and spreading awareness about eco-friendly practices.