Film star Chiranjeevi unveiled the ‘Seed Ganesha’ idols developed by the Green India Challenge and appealed to people to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in an eco-friendly manner by worshipping the deity while also contributing to the greening of the environment.

The clay idols, embedded with seeds of native trees, are designed to dissolve after immersion at home, allowing the seeds to germinate and grow into plants. Mr. Chiranjeevi launched the campaign at his residence in the presence of Green India Challenge founder and former MP J. Santosh Kumar.

Describing the Green India Challenge as a “yagna”, Mr. Chiranjeevi praised Mr. Santosh Kumar for inspiring people across the country to plant nearly 20 crore saplings. “His dedication deserves admiration. I pledge my full support to this initiative,” he said.

Appealing to devotees to immerse the idols at home after completing the puja, the actor said, “God Himself becomes a plant and blesses you. Worship Vinayaka and fulfil your duty to plant trees, both at once.”

Mr. Santosh Kumar said planting trees was no longer a choice but a necessity. Inspired by former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao’s Haritha Haram programme, the Green India Challenge was launched in 2018 with the slogan: “Plant three saplings, nurture them for three years and nominate three more people.” According to information from the Green India Challenge, 19.60 crore saplings have so far been planted across the country under the initiative.