In a bid to stop pollution of waterbodies during the Ganesha festival, the Karnataka State Polluttion Control Board (KSPCB) will take stringent measures this time to prevent immersion of idols of all types.
Environment officer of KSPCB Vijaykumar Khadakbhavi said that to conserve waterbodies, the State government has already imposed total ban on installation of PoP idols and immersing them in waterbodies.
He said after having taken steps to prevent sale of PoP idols, the State government has now decided to strictly ban immersion of idols made of clay and other eco-friendly materials in various waterbodies. He clarified that the order was not a new one. “It was in place earlier. But this year, effective measures are being taken to implement the order,” he said.
He said that according to experts’ opinion, that release of clay idols too would pollute water and pose a threat to aquatic creatures.
Other arrangements
The KSPCB, in association with the district administration and Hubballi Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC), will make alternative arrangements to help the public take up immersion of Ganesha idols in a manner that would not affect waterbodies, he said.
Mobile water tanks would be provided to immerse idols after conclusion of the festivities. This facility will be available from September 17 after 6 p.m. onwards.
These mobile tanks will cover various localities on the said date and also on the seventh, ninth and 11th days. The services of mobile water tanks will be available at Gandhi Nagar, Malmaddi, Rayaramutt, Hosayellapur, Srinagar, Saptapur, Jainagar in Dharwad on September 17 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and there will be public announcement on the same to inform the citizens. Similarly, it will be available in various localities of Hubballi, including Vidyanagar, Shirur Park, Navnagar, Unkal, Bhailappanavar Nagar, Bhavani Nagar, Deshpande Nagar, and Vijay Nagar.
Mr. Vijaykumar said that those violating the order will be dealt with strictly.