Dharwad Bans Plaster of Paris Idols, Sparking Surge in Eco-Friendly Demand

As of August 15th, 2025, the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board and district administration in Dharwad have strictly implemented a ban on the making and use of Plaster of Paris (PoP) Ganesha idols. This move has resulted in a significant increase in the demand for clay and other eco-friendly idols.

Nearly a dozen teams of officials have been cracking down on PoP idol making units, seizing the idols in an effort to ensure the district is free of these polluting idols. The deputy commissioner, Divya Prabhu, has made it clear that PoP idols will not be allowed under any circumstances, stating that "our devotion should not harm the environment" and that "worship must not become a curse for future generations."

With just ten days left before the arrival of Ganesh Chaturthi, artisans are working around the clock to keep up with the surge in demand for clay idols. Making idols using only clay is a labor-intensive process, and the scarcity of locally available clay has added to the challenge. Eco-friendly idol maker Manjunath Hiremath of Kelgeri is now working over 16 hours a day to meet orders for 1,000 small idols for households and more than 100 large idols for public installation.

The demand for eco-friendly Ganesha idols has increased by 30% compared to last year, and many groups have placed orders for idols over 8 feet tall, each taking nearly 60 hours to craft. The artisans are sourcing materials both locally and from outside the district, using water-based paints instead of chemical-based colors.