Guntur Creates World Record as 25,000 Students Make Eco-Friendly Ganesha Idols
Guntur: A large-scale environmental initiative in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, has created a new record ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi. As part of the ‘Green Ganesh’ programme organised by the Guntur Municipal Corporation, 25,000 students from 55 schools across the city came together to make Ganesha idols using natural clay. The collective effort has been entered into the World Book of Records, London.
The initiative was aimed at much more than setting a record. Organisers used the programme to promote eco-friendly Ganesh idols and educate schoolchildren about the environmental impact of idols made from Plaster of Paris (POP) and chemical colours.
25,000 Students Join Green Ganesh Programme
The Guntur Municipal Corporation organised the Green Ganesh programme under its ‘Nava Guntur’ initiative. Students from 55 schools across the city participated in the event and made clay Ganesha idols themselves.
The participation of 25,000 students was the biggest highlight of the programme. Bringing together such a large number of schoolchildren for a single environmental activity turned the initiative into a major community campaign.
According to an official social media update shared by the Guntur Municipal Corporation before the event, the civic body had planned to involve more than 25,000 students in making eco-friendly clay Ganesha idols on September 11 and register the achievement in the World Book of Records.
The children were directly involved in preparing the idols, making the activity a combination of festival preparation, creativity and environmental education.
Green Ganesh Achievement Recognised as World Record
Following the completion of the programme, the achievement was officially recognised and entered into the World Book of Records, according to available reports.
Elias, Joint Secretary of the World Book of Records, London, announced the recognition at the event.
The achievement is significant because it involved thousands of schoolchildren rather than an individual artist or a small group of participants. With 25,000 students participating, the Green Ganesh programme became both a large-scale environmental campaign and an educational initiative.
The programme also gave children an opportunity to understand how traditional celebrations can be combined with environmentally responsible practices.
Why Clay Ganesha Idols Are Being Promoted
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with great enthusiasm across India, with Ganesha idols installed in homes and public places before being immersed after the festival.
Over the years, concerns have been raised about the environmental impact of materials used to make and decorate some idols. Plaster of Paris idols, in particular, have been associated with concerns over their impact on water bodies after immersion.
Chemical-based colours used to decorate idols can also contribute to water pollution.
Natural clay idols are therefore promoted as an eco-friendly alternative. Guntur’s Green Ganesh initiative sought to introduce this message to children by allowing them to make their own clay Ganesha idols.
Guntur Municipal Corporation Commissioner K. Mayur Ashok said the programme aimed to create awareness among the younger generation about protecting the environment while celebrating festivals.
According to him, the initiative helped spread the message of environmental conservation on a large scale while also creating a record.
Environmental Message Could Reach 25,000 Families
The impact of the Green Ganesh campaign is expected to extend beyond the 25,000 students who participated.
The municipal corporation estimates that the clay Ganesha idols made by the children could become part of celebrations in their homes. This means the environmental message could potentially reach 25,000 families through the participating students.
Instead of simply attending an awareness programme or listening to a speech about environmental protection, the children were actively involved in making the idols.
The hands-on activity could help them understand that Ganesha idols can be created using natural materials while retaining the traditional spirit of the festival.
Connecting Children With Environmental Conservation
Environmental campaigns involving schoolchildren have been organised in several parts of India. The Green Ganesh initiative in Guntur is another example of using children’s participation to promote awareness about environmental conservation.
Linking environmental education with a popular festival can make the message more relatable for children. Ganesh Chaturthi is an important celebration for many families, and involving children in making clay idols gives them a practical understanding of eco-friendly alternatives.
The Guntur programme therefore combined festival participation, environmental awareness and community involvement on a large scale.
Green Ganesh Part of ‘Nava Guntur’ Initiative
The Green Ganesh programme was organised as part of the wider ‘Nava Guntur’ initiative of the Guntur Municipal Corporation.
The broader campaign focuses on improving the city’s environmental conditions and increasing green spaces.
In July 2026, while launching the ‘Green Guntur’ and ‘Nava Guntur’ initiatives, Union Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications Dr Pemasani Chandrasekhar highlighted the importance of large-scale plantation, expanding green spaces and environmental conservation.
At the time, Guntur was reported to have around 7.2 per cent green cover, with a target of planting 1.20 lakh saplings.
The Green Ganesh programme can be viewed as part of this broader environmental effort. While plantation drives and other measures focus on increasing greenery, the clay idol initiative encourages residents to adopt more environmentally responsible ways of celebrating festivals.
Green Ganesh Message Goes Beyond the Record
The significance of the Green Ganesh programme extends beyond its entry into the World Book of Records.
The initiative attempted to show children that religious traditions and environmental conservation can go together. By making clay Ganesha idols, students were introduced to an alternative to idols made using materials that can raise environmental concerns.
A world record may attract attention for a limited period, but the environmental habits developed through such initiatives can potentially have a longer-term impact.
Continued involvement from schools, parents and local communities could help make eco-friendly celebrations a regular practice rather than a one-time campaign.
25,000 Children Send a Message Through Green Ganesh
The participation of 25,000 students from 55 schools in making clay Ganesha idols together is a significant community effort. Its recognition by the World Book of Records has added another milestone to the initiative.
However, the larger message of Green Ganesh lies in encouraging families to consider environmentally friendly alternatives during Ganesh Chaturthi.
Through an activity involving thousands of children, Guntur has highlighted the idea that celebrating a festival and protecting the environment do not have to be conflicting goals.
The Green Ganesh programme has therefore emerged as more than a record-setting event. It is an attempt to use children’s participation to promote eco-friendly Ganesh celebrations, environmental awareness and responsible festival practices across the city.