With over 30,000 plaster of Paris (PoP) Ganesh idols believed to be in the city, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has directed the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to ensure that they are disposed of in an eco-friendly manner.
The numbers were verified by a team comprising officials of the BBMP, idol makers and KSPCB officials. The team had been formed to break the quandary over banning the harmful PoP idols, which raised fears among idol makers of heavy losses. They found that 30,000 idols are on sale in the city while another 70,000 are available in the rest of the State.
“We have directed the BBMP, urban local bodies and district commissioners to ensure that this stock is not available next year. It is up to them to ensure that they are disposed of in an eco-friendly manner,” said Lakshman, chairman, KSPCB.
On Tuesday, KSPCB took up the matter with the BBMP.
“We can’t stop the manufactured idols from being sold. But, our officials will slap penalties against those who continue to manufacture PoP idols or make paints for them,” said Sarfaraz Khan, Joint commissioner (Health), BBMP, adding that removing idols from the waterbodies immediately after immersion will minimise their adverse environmental effects.
Moreover, he said, residents’ welfare associations will be roped in to conduct educational programmes on eco-friendly celebrations as well as segregation of waste during immersions.
KSPCB wants civic body to ensure that they are disposed of in an eco-friendly manner
