KOLKATA — A Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata is grabbing attention for its striking design and urgent environmental message. The Lalabagan Nabankur Durga Puja Pandal has been constructed using over 3 lakh plastic bottles to spotlight the growing crisis of plastic pollution and its devastating effect on aquatic life.
The pandal’s theme is “Karagar” (Cage), and it has been designed as a man-made aquarium that even includes real fish swimming inside. This symbolic “cage,” according to organizers, is a direct representation of how fish and other underwater creatures feel when they are engulfed by the vast amounts of plastic waste humans dump into the seas.
“There is an urgent need to recycle, reuse, and repurpose our products so we can reduce plastic waste production. If we reduce production of plastic waste only then can we make some real change,” Tapas Ray, secretary of Lalabagan, told The Hindu.
At night, the installation transforms into a magical spectacle. Blue lights illuminate the structure, reflecting off the water and the fish inside to create a mesmerizing visual. This powerful display has gone viral on social media, attracting thousands of pandal hoppers to the small Durga Puja in the narrow lanes of north Kolkata.
This isn’t the first time Lalabagan has championed an eco-friendly cause. Last year, the puja earned widespread appreciation and large crowds after constructing its pandal using over 8,000 green plants, making it one of the city’s most environmentally conscious celebrations.
The creative use of plastic waste and the poignant message about marine life make the Lalabagan pandal a must-see spectacle this Durga Puja season.