The State Pollution Control Board (PCB) has insisted that only idols made of natural clay be immersed in waterbodies during the Ganesh Utsav celebrations here.
Issuing directions with regard to this, the PCB said here on Wednesday that idols made of utilising artificial materials and that might pollute waterbodies and environment should not be used for the immersion ceremony. Clothes, ornaments, flowers and leaves, used to adorn the idols, should be removed and disposed of separately.
Harmful chemical/synthetic paints or dyes should not be used for colouring idols. Only natural materials may be used to colour the idols. As far as possible, small idols should be used for immersion. Fresh water sources like wells, ponds and rivers should not be chosen for immersion and only specific sites should be used for the ceremony.
Plastic cups or such materials, bottles etc. used in connection with the festival should not be left on the road.
Loudspeakers should not be used between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
The PCB also announced that the Textile Ministry and the PCB are together organising an awareness class on the making and colouring of Ganesha idols using environment-friendly paints/colours at the Board’s Central office at 10.30 a.m. on August 21. Those interested could participate in this class, PCB said in a official release here.