Merchant Club in Sherpur town has set up an exceptional eco-friendly Durga Puja pandal crafted from nearly 4,000 discarded plastic bottles to raise public awareness against plastic pollution, organizers said Monday.
The recycling-themed pandal, set up at the Natmandir of Kalibazar Ma Bhabatara Kalimandir, drew crowds of devotees during Maha Ashtami celebrations on Monday morning.
Organizers said Merchant Club has built themed Puja pandals for 53 years, prioritizing environmental protection in recent years.
Artist brothers Nitai Malakar and Gour Malakar, along with their team, collected approximately 4,000 discarded plastic bottles over one and a half months to build the pandal at a cost of around Tk 6 lakh.
Merchant Club President Mukul Datta and General Secretary Suman Datta explained that plastic waste clogs drainage systems and degrades ecosystems, prompting the club to use major festivals to promote recycling and environmental conservation.
Praising the initiative, Jotty Poddar, General Secretary of Sherpur District Prokriti O Jibon Club, said spreading nature conservation messages during religious festivals inspires social responsibility.