It will be a golden celebration with a nod to the environment.

The Dergaon Rajahuwa Durga Puja Samiti, in its 50th year, has decided to celebrate Durga Puja using biodegradable materials instead of plastic. To mark its golden jubilee year, the committee has built its pandal resembling the traditional dhak, whose beats are an integral part of Durga Puja. The committee has always given importance to maintaining a clean and green environment in and around the pandal along National Highway 37 at Dergaon Chariali in Upper Assam’s Golaghat district.

Committee secretary Surjya Ramavatar Agarwall told The Telegraph that their aim this year was to showcase a traditional Puja without any artificial decorative materials which harm the environment and are temporary in nature.

“We are trying to celebrate Puja by cutting down on the use of plastic and instead focussing on a clean, green and eco-friendly celebration,” he said. “A magazine, Bodhan, will also be released to mark our golden jubilee,” he added.

The committee has also decided to minimise light and sound pollution during the celebration.

Every year, visitors descend in large numbers to this Puja because of its traditional style and for eco-friendly theme. “I visit this Puja every year due to its eco-friendly focus,” Dergaon resident Biren Chandra Saikia said.

In 2017, the Puja committee had received the award for the “best clean and green pandal” given by Aashray, a local organisation working for environment conservation.

The first committee with Ramavatar Jalan as president and Anil Sarma, Dilip Phukan and Gokul Sarma as joint secretaries celebrated the Puja from October 10 to 14, 1970. It has been celebrated with gaiety since then.