Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Aug 6: With Vinayaka Chaturthi just weeks away, the Karnataka government has launched a fresh crackdown on Plaster of Paris (POP) Ganesha idols, directing village panchayats across the state to allow only eco-friendly, unpainted clay idols for public installation and immersion.
Issuing strict instructions ahead of the festival, rural development and panchayat raj minister Eshwar Khandre told officials to ensure that only environment-friendly clay Gowri and Ganesha idols are installed and immersed within grama panchayat limits. The minister also made it clear that the ban on POP idols must be enforced without exception.
Vinayaka Chaturthi is scheduled to be celebrated on September 14, and in a letter to the department's principal secretary, Khandre categorically stated that the immersion of banned Plaster of Paris idols coated with chemical paints must not be permitted under any circumstances.
Calling for greater public participation in protecting the environment, the minister urged officials to encourage devotees to opt for traditional clay idols, saying the move was essential for safeguarding lakes, rivers and other water bodies from pollution.
No room for POP idols
The minister has directed authorities to initiate preventive measures even before the festival begins by stopping the manufacture, stocking, transportation and sale of POP Ganesha idols.
He also instructed officials to ensure that enforcement of the ban does not hurt the religious sentiments of devotees and that all action is taken in a sensitive and orderly manner.
To strengthen implementation, Khandre asked officials to work closely with the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board and organise awareness campaigns at the grama panchayat level to educate the public about the harmful impact of POP idols on the environment.
Why the government is concerned
Explaining the environmental risks, Khandre said POP idols are manufactured using calcium sulphate hemihydrate powder, which contains substances such as sulphur, gypsum, pigments and magnesium.
He further pointed out that the chemical paints used on many POP idols may contain hazardous heavy metals including mercury, cadmium and lead, making them highly damaging to the environment.
"When POP idols are immersed in lakes, rivers, wells and other water bodies, these heavy metals mix with the water. This not only poses serious health risks to humans and animals but also causes lasting damage to aquatic life," the minister said.
Ban backed by law
Referring to Section 33A of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, Khandre said the immersion of POP idols in rivers, lakes, ponds, reservoirs, wells and other water bodies across Karnataka is already prohibited.
He also reminded officials that a government order issued on September 15, 2023, banned the manufacture, transportation, stocking, sale and immersion of environmentally harmful POP idols. The Karnataka High Court has since directed authorities to implement the order in letter and spirit.
Emphasising the need for strict enforcement, the minister instructed all village panchayats to take every necessary step to effectively implement the ban and protect the state's water bodies and environment during the upcoming Ganesha festival.
The latest directive signals the government's renewed push for greener Ganesha celebrations, with authorities expected to closely monitor compliance and crack down on violations in the run-up to one of Karnataka's biggest religious festivals.