Mysuru: Although Ganesha Chaturthi is still more than a fortnight away, the air is already thick with anticipation. With the district administration intent on imposing the ban on Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols, the city is looking at an eco-friendly festival on August 25.
At a meeting held on Tuesday to discuss the implementation of the rules outlined by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), deputy commissioner D Randeep indicated that manufacture and immersion of PoP idols in waterbodies had been decreed an offence by law.
Directing KSPCB and Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) to enforce the ban on PoP idols, Randeep added, "KSPCB and MCC officials have been directed to ensure people could immerse the idols in mobile immersion tanks and artificial ponds."
While devotees will be allowed to immerse clay idols in the waterbodies, those that have been painted with chemical substances will have to be immersed in mobile tankers provided by the MCC. "The district administration's primary responsibility is to prevent immersion of PoP and painted idols in lakes," Randeep said, directing KSPCB to ensure that devotees were provided sufficient time to immerse the Ganesha idols.
Underscoring the dangers that immersion of PoP and painted idols in natural waterbodies posed to health, botany professor KM Jayaramaiah said "Paints contain dangerous chemicals such as arsenic and lead, which endangers aquatic life. Consumption of polluted water also affects cattle. We should raise awareness at the grassroots level. Schools and police should come together to educate people about this."
DC said that PoP idols entering the city from outside would be stopped. Randeep also instructed police to ensure that vehicles transporting PoP idols did not enter Mysuru.
KSPCB environmental officer BM Prakash said, "MCC has allotted vehicles to all zones, each of which is constituted by nine wards, and mobile tanker will be provided for immersion."
Artisans who attended the meet said that nearly 95% of the idols manufactured in the city were eco-friendly. "No PoP idols have been prepared in the city this year," they said.
Members of Let's Do It Mysore, Mysuru Grahak Parishat, NSS and Scouts and Guides were present.
Helpline
The KSPCB is planning to have a helpline so that general public can call the officials to inform about the POP. It is also planning to extend the helpline services till the idols are immersed in water.
