Daijiworld Media Network- Mangaluru (SB)

Mangaluru, Sep 12: This year, Ganesh Chaturthi is being celebrated on September 13. Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), which takes care of conservation of lakes and other water bodies by minimizing pollution, has instructed the public not to use the idols of Lord Ganesha that are made of plaster of Paris material. In addition, it has also requested the public to avoid firecrackers which cause major health problems and sound pollution.

In a meeting held at the board office, officials of various departments stressed pollution free celebration of the festival. People making, selling and transporting Ganesh idols out of plaster of Paris will be acting against the law. Every year during the Ganesh Festival the board is issuing the order against the use of plaster of Paris idols and firecrackers. This year also the same ban and rules prevail.

The board also decided to withdraw the licenses of concerns engaged in making, painting and selling idols made from plaster of Paris. The check posts at the borders will be given the responsibility of stopping entry of banned idols into the state. The board plans to give wide publicity to these issues and wants local bodies to work in close coordination with the police department to achieve good results.

In a press release District Environment Officer, Mangaluru stated the ill-effects of immersing idols made from plaster of Paris and painted idols in lakes and other water sources. He also instructed the organizations, who are conducting the public Ganesh Visarjan to clean the area immediately after the completion of the celebration. He requested the local bodies to take necessary steps to clean the public places which become temporary dump yards by throwing used flowers and other materials.