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This thesis examines the environmental price of idol immersion rituals in Kolkata's ghats and assesses people's willingness to pay for sustainable substitutes using the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM). Idol immersion, as an important ritual for Durga Puja and other such festivities, has been recognized as a prime source of water pollution for the Hooghly River. The widespread use of non-biodegradable materials, toxic paints, and synthetic decorations introduces harmful substances into the river, impacting water quality and public health.
To estimate the economic value citizens place on cleaner immersion practices, a CVM survey was conducted among 101 respondents across 35 municipal wards located near key immersion sites such as Prinsep Ghat and Babu Ghat. Respondents were asked to state their Willingness to Pay (WTP) for eco-friendly initiatives, including biodegradable idols, immersion tanks, and ghat clean-up programs. The average WTP was found to be ₹387 per person per year. Using a target population of 45,000, the Net Present Value (NPV) of the public benefit over five years was calculated to be ₹7.5 crore, significantly exceeding the government’s projected expenditure of ₹23 lakhs per year.
Regression analysis revealed that WTP was significantly influenced by factors such as age, proximity to the ghat, river water usage, and beliefs about waterborne diseases. Stakeholder interviews with idol makers, puja committees, municipal authorities, and environmental regulators enriched the analysis and highlighted gaps in policy implementation.
The results support an economic and social basis for stronger regulatory enforcement and promoting eco-immersion practices. The research concludes that economically rational, culturally sensitive environmental policies are both viable and supported by the public, providing a model for sustainable religious practice in urban India.
