Ahead of the festive season, Delhi Mayor Kanwar Sain on Thursday appealed to the citizens to have “eco-friendly idols” for worship and refrain from using those coloured with chemical paints or made from toxic material.
He also asked the people to help save “Yamuna, the lifeline of Delhi, by not throwing anything in the river.”
“I appeal to the citizens of Delhi to use eco-friendly idols during this festival season,” Mr. Sain said in a statement. Idols made of clay and coloured with vegetable dyes will be more environment-friendly, he noted.
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“Please do not use idols made of Plaster of Paris. Please do not use idols with chemical paints, as these are toxic,” he said.
Environmentalists say immersing idols having chemical paints in the Yamuna can further deteriorate the health of the already-polluted river.
“Dumping waste at any place is an environmental and health hazard, but it is being done in and around Yamuna River too,” the Mayor said.
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He also said that at the time of celebrations and new purchases, the citizens should carefully consider what they really need to buy so that we can all work on the principle of reuse and recycle and not increase the load on garbage management.
From mid-September to mid-October, there are several festivals lined up: Durga Puja, Dasara and Diwali.