People must know the hazards of PoP idols: Pollution control board

The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has launched a campaign to promote the use of eco-friendly Ganesha idols.

“Eco-friendly idols are a concept that can really make a difference to the environment. There is a need to awaken people to the hazards of plaster of Paris (PoP) idols and the DNA Eco-Ganesha campaign has been an ideal method to communicate the benefits and encourage the shift towards eco-friendly idols and decorations,” MPCB member secretary Milind Mhaiskar said.

Since the last few years, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and the Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti had been appealing to people to put up eco-friendly idols, which are made up of natural dyes. These green idols will dissolve easily in water, where as idols made from plaster of Paris will remain in the sea for a long time after immersion and will adversely affect the marine life.

According to experts, PoP idols do not dissolve easily in seawater as compared to those made of clay.

“Ganpati festival is an occasion when we can demonstrate through action that we are also environment conscious. DNA Eco-Ganesha campaign is an excellent platform for making people conscious about this and setting an example for them to follow. Let us all pledge to be respectful of the environment this Ganeshotsav, and use only eco-friendly materials.” said Sanjay Deotale, Minister of Environment.

Pramod Palav, an artist in Kankavali (Sindhudurg), has put an end to the old debate between Ganesh mandals and environmentalists by using clay without compromising on the idol’s height. Palav, who has made a 21-foot-tall idol for a Ganesh mandal in Andheri, claims that the idol will dissolve within 15 minutes after immersion.