Pathways for Ganesha Idol Immersion Process …
33
8 Recommendations
• Government can ban the usage of Ganeshas made using POPs.
• A policy should be made by BBMP to avoid immersion in unauthorized places
like lakes and ocean.
• More number of artificial tanks and mobile tankers need to be installed in all the
areas of the city.
• Awareness programmes and advertisement are to be done in a big way in TV
channels, FM radio, posters in buses and bridges, as it cannot be missed by anybody
in the city.
• Appreciate eco-friendly clay idols which will dissolve in water in less than 10 h.
• Motivate the public to use permanent idols made of brass or stone.
• Immerse the idols in a tub or a water tank and the silt can be used for garden.
• Create awareness about waste management to ensure separation of flowers and
other wet waste before immersion.
• Create awareness about composting plants to generate manure from flowers and
wet waste.
• Encourage the use of green/eco-friendly decorative items like natural flowers,
leaves, natural colors and avoid using POPs, thermocol and plastic decorative.
The environmental impact of Ganesha Visarjan has been realized to be a huge
one, affecting aquatic life all over the country to a great extent. Hence, it is the duty
of all citizens to adopt some of the measures stated above to protect marine life
and safeguard the ecological balance. According to Water Act 1974 (33 A), using
POP and other harmful color Ganesha idols is prohibited during Ganesha Utsav, and
segregation of waste and disposal should be followed. Sincere efforts have been made
by many Non-Governmental Organizations to encourage devotees to use traditional
clay, metal or brass statues for the festival. Clay idols can be immersed which do not
contribute to environmental pollution. Brass and metal idols can be immersed in a
bucket of water at home and reused.
33
8 Recommendations
• Government can ban the usage of Ganeshas made using POPs.
• A policy should be made by BBMP to avoid immersion in unauthorized places
like lakes and ocean.
• More number of artificial tanks and mobile tankers need to be installed in all the
areas of the city.
• Awareness programmes and advertisement are to be done in a big way in TV
channels, FM radio, posters in buses and bridges, as it cannot be missed by anybody
in the city.
• Appreciate eco-friendly clay idols which will dissolve in water in less than 10 h.
• Motivate the public to use permanent idols made of brass or stone.
• Immerse the idols in a tub or a water tank and the silt can be used for garden.
• Create awareness about waste management to ensure separation of flowers and
other wet waste before immersion.
• Create awareness about composting plants to generate manure from flowers and
wet waste.
• Encourage the use of green/eco-friendly decorative items like natural flowers,
leaves, natural colors and avoid using POPs, thermocol and plastic decorative.
The environmental impact of Ganesha Visarjan has been realized to be a huge
one, affecting aquatic life all over the country to a great extent. Hence, it is the duty
of all citizens to adopt some of the measures stated above to protect marine life
and safeguard the ecological balance. According to Water Act 1974 (33 A), using
POP and other harmful color Ganesha idols is prohibited during Ganesha Utsav, and
segregation of waste and disposal should be followed. Sincere efforts have been made
by many Non-Governmental Organizations to encourage devotees to use traditional
clay, metal or brass statues for the festival. Clay idols can be immersed which do not
contribute to environmental pollution. Brass and metal idols can be immersed in a
bucket of water at home and reused.