The Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) is set to introduce eco-friendly prasad packaging at the Ambaji temple, with the proposed shift away from conventional plastic boxes expected to prevent approximately 135.6 tonnes of packaging-related plastic waste every year. The initiative builds on a similar rollout at the Somnath temple in September 2026 and marks a deliberate effort to extend sustainable practices across Gujarat's major pilgrimage centres.

Scale of the Problem at Ambaji

Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia said the Ambaji temple currently distributes around 15,000 plastic prasad boxes on a normal day, a figure that climbs sharply during festivals and special occasions. Across a month, approximately 10 lakh boxes are handed out, generating an estimated 11,299.5 kg of packaging-related plastic waste. 'The proposed transition to eco-friendly alternatives could prevent approximately 135.6 tonnes of plastic waste annually at Ambaji. The packaging solutions are intended to maintain the hygiene, functionality and convenience required for prasad distribution while preserving its cultural identity,' Modhwadia said.

What the Alternatives Look Like

The National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad, was engaged by GPCB through a professional design consultancy assignment to develop packaging suited to both the Somnath and Ambaji temples. Field studies examined devotee footfall, prasad quantities, preparation and packaging processes, storage conditions, distribution patterns and existing waste-generation practices at both sites. The study concluded that a single packaging type would not meet all requirements — prasad for immediate consumption needed lightweight, biodegradable materials, while products carried home or over longer distances required sturdier containers. The proposed alternatives include paper boxes and moulded sugarcane bagasse containers — made from a by-product of sugarcane processing — for short-term use, alongside durable reusable tin boxes that devotees can keep.

The Somnath Precedent

At Somnath, the eco-friendly transition is already under way. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel formally inaugurated the initiative on 17 September 2026. The temple distributes roughly 4,200 kg of prasad in nearly 27,700 boxes every day; the switch to plastic-free paper boxes and reusable tin containers is expected to eliminate more than 203 tonnes of plastic use annually. Ambaji is the second temple to be brought under the framework, with separate packaging solutions designed for immediate consumption, regular takeaway and reusable categories.

Broader Ambition

Minister of State for Forests and Environment Pravin Mali said the initiative sought to make environmental responsibility an integral part of religious practice. 'By introducing biodegradable and reusable alternatives at prominent pilgrimage centres, GPCB aims to demonstrate how thoughtful design, institutional action and public participation can deliver measurable environmental benefits,' Mali said. Officials indicated that, with the model operational at Somnath and in development for Ambaji, the approach could eventually be considered for other pilgrimage centres across Gujarat and beyond. This comes amid growing pressure on state governments to address single-use plastic waste at high-footfall religious sites, where daily volumes of packaging often dwarf those of urban markets.