‘Ban sale of Vinayaka idols made of Plaster of Paris’

Immersion of such idols will cause severe damages to waterbodies, says an NGO

The sale of Ganesha idols made of Plaster of Paris are rampant in various parts of the city.

With a few days left for Vinayaka Chathurthi, those engaged in the protection and restoration of waterbodies have raised voice against the sale of Vinayaka idols made of Plaster of Paris (PoP).

According to them, the sale of PoP idols, mostly small in size meant for installation at houses, was rampant in various parts of the city.

Kovai Kulangal Paathukaapu Amaippu has appealed District Collector K. Rajamani to curb the sale of PoP idols to protect the waterbodies.

In a petition submitted to the Collector, R. Manikandan of

Kovai Kulangal Paathukaapu Amaippu said that the sale of such idols was a violation of court order.

His petition said that immersion of such idols will cause severe damages to waterbodies which were already posing threats in the form of pollution from effluents and dumping of garbage.

In August 2017, the Madras High Court had issued elaborate guidelines on conducting Vinayaka Chathurthi celebrations and banned Ganesha idols made of PoP.

According to Mr. Manikandan, PoP idols of Ganesha were being sold at Sundakamuthur, Kuniyamuthur, Palakkad Road, Mettupalayam Road and Tiruchi Road.

Appealing people not to buy such idols, K. Mohanraj of Save Coimbatore Wetlands said that the district administration and the police should take proactive steps to stop the sale of such idols which are non-biodegradable.

“Permission for installation of idols should be given only after ensuring that they are PoP-free. Permission should be denied for installation of idols which are not eco-friendly,” he said.