Create artificial ponds for immersing idols: Madras High Court
High court has suggested to government to set up artificial ponds in specific areas
By : p.arul
Update: 2015-10-30 07:08 GMT
CHENNAI: The Madras high court has suggested to government to set up artificial ponds in specific areas for immersion of idols during festival season to put an end to pollution of water bodies. Justice S. Vaidyanathan said, “It is not rational, prudent and judicious to pollute an already scarce commodity. This illiterate attitude towards water should be put an end to".
The judge made the recommendation when a bail petition, by a Hindu Munnani office-bearer, who was arrested for attempt to murder in Tirupur during the Vinayaga Chaturthi procession, came up for hearing. Granting conditional bail to him, the judge said the court was more concerned over the issue of immersion of idols in water bodies. Though religious significance is attached to the traditional practice of immersion of idols in water bodies, it has its own ill effects as well. On account of immersion, various material including clay, bamboo and colours are released into the water bodies. Clay results in siltation. Toxic chemicals leach out and pose serious problems of water pollution. Pollution from immersion of idols also damages the ecosystem.
He said though Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board issued guidelines with regard to idol immersion in water bodies, they are not followed strictly. As implementation of guidelines has been a Herculean task, involving check from creation of an idol, the judge suggested the creation of artificial ponds as this would undoubtedly effectively put an end to the pollution of water bodies.