KOLKATA, 8 AUG: After global warming took its toll on at least 100 people this summer, there are plans for a “green” pandal in Kalikapur off EM Bypass. The Mahatirtham Durgotsab committee is using solar power to illuminate the pandal and the neighbouring areas. In the context of the energy crisis and global climate change, this committee has taken this initiative to power the pandal only with solar cells, said Mr S P Gon Chowdhury, a renewable energy specialist. Mr Gon Chowdhury designed the entire pandal for the committee and about 200 solar lamps will be required to light it up. He said the committee is using all bio-degradable materials for the pandal's structure and idol. He said the pandal will be made of bamboo and solar panels will be set up on its roof. It will contain at least 200 solar lamps, which will generate 26 KW of solar power to light the pandal and surrounding areas during the puja. The idols will be made of clay but no environmentally hazardous paint will be used. Rather, both the idol and the pandal will be decorated with bamboo. During the pujas the state requires almost 250 MW of extra power to provide electricity to pandals. Mr Gon Chowdhury said this excess power means that carbon dioxide emissions increase immensely. “If puja organisers set up solar panels in their pandals, not only will they consume less fossil fuel but also they will cause less environmental pollution. In this way the Mahatirtham Durgotsab committee's puja is a zero-emissions puja.'' He said different manufacturers of solar panels, inverters and others equipment have chipped to make this “green” pandal a success. This is a win-win situation for society, manufacturers and the Durga Puja organiser, since they need do not to pay electricity bills, he said.