Eco Friendly Rang Barse on Holi

via holifestival.org

Play a Colourful and Safe festival of holi!
Came across this article on Holifestival.org

The aim of this article is to generate awareness amongst people about the various harmful effects around Holi celebrations and encourage people to celebrate an eco friendly Holi!

Please read on to know about the three main environmental concerns around Holi -

1.The use of toxic chemical colours.
2. The use of wood for burning Holi fires.
3. The wasteful use of water during Holi.

Around 2001, two environmental groups called Toxics Link and Vatavaran, based in Delhi, did a study on all the three available categories of colours available in the market - pastes, dry colours and water colours. The study revealed that all of these three forms of chemical Holi colors are hazardous.

Color Chemical Health Effects

Black Lead oxide Renal Failure
Green Copper Sulphate Eye Allergy, Puffiness and temporary blindness
Silver Aluminium Bromide Carcinogenic
Blue Prussian Blue Contract Dermatitis
Red Mercury Sulphite Highly toxic can cause skin cancer

(Source: Vatavaran)

Harmful Chemicals in Gulal
The dry colours, commonly known as gulals, have two components – a colourant that is toxic and a base which could be either asbestos or silica, both of which cause health problems. Heavy metals contained in the colourants can cause asthma, skin diseases and adversely affect the eyes.

Harms of Wet Holi Colors
Wet colours, mostly use Gentian violet as a colour concentrate which can cause skin dis-colouration and dermatitis.

These days, Holi colours are sold loosely, on the roads, by small traders who often do not know the source. Sometimes, the colours come in boxes that specifically say ‘For industrial use only’.

Action Taken by Environmental Groups
Following the publication of these studies several environmental groups took up the cause to encourage people to return to a more natural way of celebrating Holi. Amongst these,Navdanya, Delhi published a book called Abir Gulal, which spoke of the biodiversity that was the source of natural colours.
Development Alternatives, Delhi and Kalpavriksh, Pune have developed educational tools to teach children simple ways of making their own natural Holi colours.
The CLEAN India campaign has been teaching children how to make beautiful natural colours.

Make your own Holi colours

Holi festival lovers will be thrilled to know that it is possible to make simple natural colors in one’s own kitchen.
Here are some very simple recipes to make natural colours:
Color Method of Preparation

Yellow 1) Mix turmeric (haldi) powder with chick pea flour (besan)

2) Boil Marigold or Tesu flowers in water

Yellow liquid color Soak peels of pomegranate (Anar) overnight.

Deep Pink Slice a beetroot and soak in water

Orange - red paste Henna leaves (mehndi) can be dried, powdered and mixed with water.

For more information please read How to make Natural colours?

Purchase Natural Holi Colors
For those who do not have the time to make their own colours, there is the choice of buying natural Holi colours. Several groups are now producing and promoting such colours, although it is important to verify the ingredients of the colours and ensure you know enough about the source.

via holifestival.org

Circulate this amongst those you care and love and play a safe Holi!

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