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Eco-Friendly Ganesh Idols Now Mandatory
11 Sep
Summary
- Immersing decorated idols in water bodies is illegal, risking jail time.
- PoP idols with chemical paints harm aquatic life and public health.
- State now mandates clay or natural material idols, banning PoP ones.
Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has issued strict directives regarding Ganesha idol immersion, deeming the immersion of decorated idols in any water body a punishable offense. Violators face penalties and imprisonment ranging from one and a half to six years. Before immersion, all decorative materials must be removed from the idols.
The KSPCB has also prohibited the manufacture, sale, and use of Ganesha idols made from Plaster of Paris (PoP) or those decorated with chemical or heavy metal-based paints. Instead, idols must be crafted using natural clay or other biodegradable, eco-friendly materials. This move aligns with directions from the Central Pollution Control Board and has been reinforced by the High Court of Karnataka.
Idols made of PoP and chemical paints do not dissolve naturally, depleting dissolved oxygen and increasing water hardness. They release toxic heavy metals such as mercury, arsenic, and lead, severely impacting aquatic ecosystems and public health. Local bodies are instructed to conduct pre-festival inspections of manufacturing and sales units, with seized PoP idols leading to legal action.
