Innovative Eco-Friendly Boats Made from Cow Dung Transform Festival Traditions |
Bhubaneswar: In a blend of tradition and environmental consciousness, a group of young volunteers from the city revolutionised an age-old festival ritual by crafting miniature boats from an unexpected material — cow dung. On the eve of Kartika Purnima, the Kalinga Yuva Sena, a local volunteer organisation, handcrafted nearly 1,000 eco-friendly boats, offering a sustainable alternative to the conventional plastic and thermocol miniature boats used by many people during the celebration.
“Each boat tells a story of our commitment to both tradition and environmental protection,” says Chandrasekhar Dash, founder member of Kalinga Yuva Sena. “When these boats dissolve in water after about an hour, they become natural food for aquatic microorganisms, leaving no harmful trace behind,” he said.
The initiative carries special significance for the group, which dedicates itself to caring for homeless and abandoned cows in the city. “This is our way of honouring these sacred animals while showing people the creative potential of cow dung,” explains Krishna Nayak, a passionate member of the organisation.
The young volunteers distribute these innovative boats free of charge, hoping to inspire a shift away from harmful materials that have become commonplace in festival celebrations. Their efforts already caught the attention of local environmental activists and religious leaders alike.
What makes these boats particularly remarkable is their dual purpose — while they serve the traditional ritual requirements perfectly, they also demonstrate how ancient practices can be adapted to address modern environmental concerns.
“We’re not just making boats. We’re making a statement about responsible celebration,” adds Dash. “It’s beautiful to see people’s faces light up when they realise they can honour their traditions while protecting our environment,” he added.
As the festival approaches, the sight of these earth-brown boats floating on local water bodies serves as a powerful reminder that small changes can create significant impact. “Through their innovative approach, these young volunteers are not just preserving a cultural tradition — they’re crafting a more sustainable future, one tiny boat at a time,” said a local, Pintu Jena from Patia.
“Each boat tells a story of our commitment to both tradition and environmental protection,” says Chandrasekhar Dash, founder member of Kalinga Yuva Sena. “When these boats dissolve in water after about an hour, they become natural food for aquatic microorganisms, leaving no harmful trace behind,” he said.
The initiative carries special significance for the group, which dedicates itself to caring for homeless and abandoned cows in the city. “This is our way of honouring these sacred animals while showing people the creative potential of cow dung,” explains Krishna Nayak, a passionate member of the organisation.
The young volunteers distribute these innovative boats free of charge, hoping to inspire a shift away from harmful materials that have become commonplace in festival celebrations. Their efforts already caught the attention of local environmental activists and religious leaders alike.
What makes these boats particularly remarkable is their dual purpose — while they serve the traditional ritual requirements perfectly, they also demonstrate how ancient practices can be adapted to address modern environmental concerns.
“We’re not just making boats. We’re making a statement about responsible celebration,” adds Dash. “It’s beautiful to see people’s faces light up when they realise they can honour their traditions while protecting our environment,” he added.
As the festival approaches, the sight of these earth-brown boats floating on local water bodies serves as a powerful reminder that small changes can create significant impact. “Through their innovative approach, these young volunteers are not just preserving a cultural tradition — they’re crafting a more sustainable future, one tiny boat at a time,” said a local, Pintu Jena from Patia.
