Group of Nashik ladies ensure safe disposal of PoP Ganesh idols

With the Ganapati Visarjan nearing, groups in Nashik are gearing for propagating the eco-friendly way of idol immersion.

While many worked for the mud clay idol making and many more are working towards encouraging idol donation, a group of women, all young mothers, are working to prevent or at least lessen the pollution in river Godavari, which is caused by immersion of idols made of plaster of paris (PoP).

"Having come across messages on the social media about a solution that has been worked out to dissolve PoP idols at home, we thought this could be a small step in reducing the water pollution," states Dr Suvarna Pawar, member of Paalvi group, who initiated this project.

Taking a cue from the project being implemented in Pune, and the information provided by National Chemical Laboratories (NCL), the ladies then began working to gain information and check if the ammonium bicarbonate which dissolves the PoP idol in water can be made available to the people in Nashik.

"As a mother I feel that all parents should try and give their best to their children. We should try to ensure a good future for them. For that, we need to make sure that our children get a pollution free environment, clean water, and a healthy river as well. Upon knowing the solution to the pollution by dissolving the PoP idols, we thought of making it a campaign, even if it is in a small way," states Dipali Khedkar, Paalvi group member.

Their efforts were assisted by the Nashik city police and the commissioner of police Dr Ravindra Singhal, who took the initiative of reaching out to people. A demonstration of such immersion was held at the police commissionerate, the idol was immersed in a bucket after the fifth day of the festival.

"We are supporting this drive to create awareness about the increasing water pollution. This year is the first time such an effort for PoP idols is being made. Next year, the awareness must increase and more eco-friendly measures need to be adopted," Dr Ravindra Singhal.

The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has also pitched in by helping to create awareness and by facilitating the chemical to the people, which dissolves the PoP idols.

Many groups and people joined in the campaign after a series of meetings were conducted. While many supported, some had questions about the use and safety of such a method.

With the help of the police and NMC, counters are being opened at different places, where in, a packet of ammonium bicarbonate will be provided for free of cost to families. "While this method is just temporary. Our main aim is to avoid the use of PoP. Awareness for this has to be initiated by one and all," added Dipali.