Category : Water Pollution | Location : Karnataka | Posted on 2022-07-27 21:59:17
Belagavi: The decision of the district administration not allowing Plaster of Paris (PoP) Ganesh idols at public places during Ganesh festival from August 31 to September 9, has made the sarvajanik Ganeshotsav mandals unhappy.
Most of the mandals had placed orders for PoP idols months ago. Some idols were made a year or two earlier, but they were not installed because of Covid-19. Now, the decision of banning PoP idols has put both idol makers and Ganeshotsav mandals in trouble. Deputy commissioner Nitesh Patil has instructed mandals not to install PoP idols.
This year, the mandals have decided to celebrate the festival with all grandeur, because they couldn’t in the past two years due to Covid-19.
According to Rajeshwari Kulli, deputy environment officer, PoP idols cause water pollution. “Rivers, lakes, wells and streams get polluted after immersion of PoP idols, as makers use chemical colours instead natural ones to paint the idols. We appeal all Ganesh mandals to use idols made with clay,” he said.
However, Madhyavarti Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal has urged the district administration to postpone the imposition of PoP idol ban to next year. According to MSGM coordinator Vikas Kalaghatagi, over 378 mandals install idols in public places in Belagavi city. The idols of most of the mandals are ready. Some were brought from Maharashtra. In such a situation, banning PoP idols suddenly will cause a huge loss to idol makers and mandals too, he said.
“Ganeshotsav in Belagavi is celebrated with the highest grandeur in Karnataka. It is not a mere religious festival but directly and indirectly attached to cultural, educational, and economic activities. Lakhs of people from across the region and neighbouring Goa and Maharashtra visit Belagavi during the festival, just to see the large sized idols made in creative themes. PoP idols are light weight and easy to move. Large idols can’t be made with clay, unlike PoP. If the idols become small, it will impact the attraction of Belagavi,” he claimed.
The mandals argue that the idols are not immersed in natural water bodies in Belagavi, but in artificially made ponds. Hence, there is no question of polluting water bodies.
City police commissioner Boralingaiah MB said the government and high court issued guidelines on May 10.
“The guidelines are not just restricted to Ganesh festival but all such activities that harm the environment. The department urges every citizen to abide with the government guidelines”, the officer said.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubballi/ganesh-mandals-and-artisans-want-ban-on-pop-idols-relaxed/articleshowprint/93172500.cms
