Eco‑Friendly Clay Ganesh Statues Generate ₹5 Crore for 361 Artisans

Gandhinagar, September 21 – The Gujarat Institute of Clay Craft and Rural Technology disclosed that the recent seven‑day “Mati Sculpture Fair‑2026” resulted in the sale of 23,542 clay Ganesh statues, yielding close to five crore rupees for 361 registered artisans.

The fair, organized from September 8 to 14, was hosted at five sites across Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Surat. Government‑issued ready‑to‑use clay, amounting to 186 tonnes, was distributed free of charge, and stalls were provided with full subsidy.

Ahmedabad’s Vastrapur Haat led the revenue chart with more than ₹1.91 crore in sales. Surat’s Adajan venue sold 7,920 idols, contributing over ₹1.11 crore. Vadodara’s Parsai Agiyari field, where 79 stalls operated, recorded ₹85.77 lakh, while the Sabarmati Riverfront’s 124 stalls earned ₹77.99 lakh. Bopal Handicraft Haat in Ahmedabad logged ₹32.55 lakh from its 30 stalls.

These figures reflect the state’s drive to replace plaster‑of‑Paris (POP) idols— which comprised roughly 90 % of Ganesh figures in 2014‑15— with biodegradable clay alternatives that do not pollute water sources.

The “Incentive Scheme for Clay Idol Makers”, launched in 2015‑16, offers artisans a 50 % subsidy on clay, free stall allocation and a daily support payment of ₹1,000. The scheme has markedly reduced POP usage statewide.

An educational component involved 302 schools in ten districts, engaging more than 84,500 students in live demonstrations and hands‑on workshops, in line with the National Education Policy’s emphasis on environmental stewardship.

Women in artisan families have gained additional income by producing and decorating the clay idols at home. Officials highlighted that the initiative goes beyond monetary aid, aiming to preserve traditional skills, promote ecological balance, and improve livelihoods.

The government intends to replicate such fairs in the coming years to further the goal of a self‑sufficient Gujarat contributing to a self‑reliant India.