District administration calls for eco-friendly Ganesh fest

Coimbatore: Though the district administration may have managed to keep out plaster of paris from entering the city’s water bodies, the next challenge would be to ensure that polluting accessories that usually accompany Ganesha idols, do not enter the water bodies.
Police have set up large gunny bag bins near the lakes, where immersion of the idols has been permitted. Those in charge of the processions should remove garlands and accessories made of plastic, stones and glitter off the idol before it is immersed. This is to ensure that no plastic or metallic pollutants along with flower waste pollute the water bodies.
According to district administration’s rules, only idols made of clay or paper mache can be immersed. While environmentalists say that the rule is not implemented properly and many plaster of paris idols get into water, one of the major concerns was that many accessories including garlands made of plastic, shells, umbrellas made of plastic and metallic accessories are not mentioned in the rules.
“These pollutants, especially metallic beads, wrapping paper and plastic settle on the lake bed and not allow water to percolate and recharge ground water in the surrounding areas,” said K Manikandan of Kuzhangal Pathukappu Amaippu.
Hindu groups, which are leading the immersion processions, agreed with the administration’s request. “While we insist idol immersion should be allowed, we agree with the rule that only water-soluble idols and materials should be immersed. Nothing wrong with removing stones, plastic and metallic decorations,” said Siva Prakash of Hindu Makkal Katchi.
The idols will be immersed at Kurichi Kulam, Ukkadam Periyakulam, Muthanan Kulam, Singanallur Kulam and Sengulam. The administration has allowed immersion on September 4 and 6. The city police will deploy 1,500 to 2,000 cops along the routes.
The city police had given permission to install 395 idols and the rural police, 1,564.