Eco-Friendly Holi: Ahmedabad AMC Pilots Organic Soap Made From Pyre Ash and Fruit Waste

In an innovative step toward environmental sustainability, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has launched a pilot project to produce organic soaps using ash from Holi festival pyres and discarded peels of citrus fruits collected from juice centres. This project is part of the civic body’s larger eco-friendly campaign, which encourages citizens to celebrate festivals in an environmentally responsible way while minimising waste and reducing the consumption of natural resources. The initiative also aims to promote awareness about sustainable living among Ahmedabad’s residents.

As part of the campaign, the Cattle Nuisance and Control Department (CNCD) distributed 251 Vedic Holi kits made of cow dung across the city, encouraging households to celebrate Holika Dahan without burning large quantities of wood. Traditionally, each Holika Dahan consumes approximately 700–800 kg of wood, but under this initiative, only 170 kg of cow dung products were used per bonfire. The move not only helps reduce deforestation but also connects citizens with environment-focused activities, with more than 25,000 people participating citywide.

Following the Holi celebrations, CNCD collected approximately 300 kg of ash from seven different locations across Ahmedabad. This ash, combined with discarded citrus peels such as orange, lemon, and mosambi, will now be used to make organic soaps. CNCD head Naresh Rajput explained that the idea originated from interactions with murti artists during Ganesh Chaturthi last year. “Our ancestors used ash to clean utensils, and the peels from fruits, which are usually thrown away, can be repurposed. We decided to implement this old wisdom in a modern way by creating soaps from Vedic ash and fruit peels,” he said.

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The pilot project is being conducted at CNCD’s Karuna Mandir, where the soaps will be prepared and distributed free of cost to visitors. The initiative represents a unique blend of cultural preservation and environmental consciousness, linking traditional celebrations with sustainable practices.

In addition to promoting environmental stewardship, the initiative also demonstrates the civic body’s efforts to encourage citizen participation in eco-friendly practices. By reducing the use of wood, preventing deforestation, and turning festival waste into valuable products, Ahmedabad is setting a precedent for other Indian cities to follow in integrating environmental responsibility into cultural celebrations.

Naresh Rajput emphasized, “This project is a step toward making our festivals cleaner, greener, and more meaningful. We aim to make the best out of waste while educating citizens about sustainability. By involving the community, we hope to create a lasting impact that goes beyond a single festival.”

This campaign has received a positive response from citizens, showing that traditional festivities can coexist with environmentally conscious practices and demonstrating Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation’s commitment to innovation in civic and environmental initiatives.

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