Navi Mumbai Rotary clubs send Shadu clay to Badlapur artisans

A truck carrying 10 tonnes of Shadu clay left the NMMC parking area in CBD Belapur for Badlapur on Tuesday, where traditional idol makers will reuse the material.

Eight Navi Mumbai Rotary clubs organised the transport under their “Visarjan to Srijan Tak” initiative. Six workers began loading packed clay at 9.30am under civic supervision; the vehicle departed at 1.20pm and reached a Badlapur workshop at about 6pm. Rotarian Dr Dipankar monitored the journey.

NMMC granted permission on October 1 to Nishita Suvarna, vice-president of the Rotary Club of Navi Mumbai Joy of Giving, to move the collected material for recycling. The permission requires organisers to safeguard religious sentiments, avoid environmental damage, follow waste-management and traffic rules, keep transport records, and prevent spills on roads.

At the departure point, Rotarian Rekha Sankhla demonstrated the difference between plaster of Paris and Shadu clay idols, describing how natural clay can be recovered and reused. The participating clubs were Navi Mumbai Valley Golfers, Joy of Living, Palm Beach, Garima, Smart City, Industrial Estate, Millennium and Namastu.