KSPCB has ordered a ban on the immersion of idols made from Plaster of Paris
Ban on immersion of PoP Ganesha idols breathes fresh life into Bengaluru's dying lakes. (Photo: DC)
Bengaluru: It may be belated, and it may kick in only next year. But in a move that must be welcomed and embraced as the only way to keep our water bodies safe, the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has ordered a ban on the immersion of idols made from Plaster of Paris (PoP).
The KSPCB has held off until now, in the full knowledge that they are treading on precarious ground, given the fact that it could affect religious sentiments, which politicians with ulterior motives could very easily stoke.
However, the facts on the ground are these, contamination of water bodies had increased due to the rise of immersion of idols, particularly ones made from PoP that kill marine life.
If even the desilted waste is not scientifically processed and just dumped bringing down the fertility of the land, no power in heaven can change that!
Banning the immersion of plaster of paris, Ganesha idols in lakes and other bodies was long talked about but both the BBMP and the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) were always reluctant
to take the plunge owing to the religious sentiments surrounding the ‘Ganesha Chaturthi’ celebrations.
But now looking at the massive pollution of lakes during the festive season, they have finally decided to act. KSPCB chairman, Vaman Acharya, however, explains the ban may come into full effect only from next year. Currently the city is seeing a substantial increase in Ganesh pandals, as politicians, who throw their weight behind many of them to curry favour with the public, are allegedly eyeing the corporation elections of 2015. The impact on the city and its water bodies is enormous in the process.
Disadvantaged Lakes
The idol immersion impairs both the physical and chemical properties of water. While idols made of clay dissolve within hours of immersion in water, those made of plaster of paris take several months and sometimes even years to fully dissolve. Worse, plaster of paris reduces the oxygen in water, killing fish and other aquatic organisms. The chemical paints used on the idols often contain heavy metals such as mercury and lead which seep into the water as they dissolve.
Unregulated pandals
As Ganesha pandals spring up wherever they please in the city, hitting traffic and inconveniencing commuters, some experts suggest its time the BBMP restricted the number of pandals by issuing permits to only to a few associations to erect them.
The politics of pandals
Come Ganesh Chaturthi and its time for local politicians to back their followers to the hilt, find rich clients as sponsors, and make the most of the celebrations to win public support. “If any association member finds himself up against a legal problem or if a sponsor refuses to give money, the local corporators are the first to ‘help.’ This time all the more so as the BBMP elections are nearing and they need all the support they can get. It works mutually,” says a BBMP official.
Making a quick buck
“Ganesh Chaturthi is the only festival that allows people to earn their annual income,” jokes a top BBMP official. Though the celebrations dont last long fund collection begins months ahead and it is alleged the corporators get their share to ensure that nothing comes in the way of making them a huge success.
Celebrations every year lead to:
Contamination of water bodies
Noise pollution by loudspeakers
Unauthorised encroachment of roads
Money making in the name of the festival
Number of idols immersed in city’s waterbodies this year:
1.8 lakh (in all eight zones)
Major immersion points in the city:
Yediyur, Sankey Tank, Ulsoor Lake
Number of BBMP installed mobile and temporary tanks :106
( Source : dc correspondent )
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