Karnataka govt intensifies push for eco-friendly Ganesha idols, green firecrackers
23 Aug 2024 8:27 AM GMT
Minister for Environment, Forest, and Ecology Eshwar B Khandre emphasized the importance of curbing environmental pollution during the festivities. (Photo by arrangement)
Mangaluru: The Karnataka government is ramping up its efforts to promote the use of eco-friendly Ganesha idols and green firecrackers ahead of the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. In a recent virtual meeting with Deputy Commissioners, Minister for Environment, Forest, and Ecology Eshwar B Khandre emphasized the importance of curbing environmental pollution during the festivities.
Minister Khandre called for the establishment of committees led by Deputy Commissioners to ensure strict compliance with eco-friendly practices. He stressed the need for widespread public awareness to discourage the use of Plaster of Paris (POP) idols, which are detrimental to the environment. The state has already imposed a ban on the production, transportation, sale, and storage of POP Ganesha idols and directed authorities to prevent their entry from other states.
During the meeting, the harmful effects of POP idols were underscored, with Khandre explaining that the immersion of these idols in water bodies releases pollutants that can harm aquatic life and pose health risks to both humans and livestock. The Minister recommended that Ganesha festival committees be required to submit undertakings while obtaining permissions, pledging not to worship or immerse POP idols or use firecrackers that contribute to noise or air pollution.
Khandre highlighted that despite the existing laws, public awareness is crucial to achieving success. He suggested leveraging WhatsApp groups of local welfare associations and utilizing audio announcements in garbage collection vehicles to spread the message. He also mentioned a criminal case filed against a Bengaluru unit that had produced a large number of POP idols.
On the topic of green firecrackers, Khandre referred to the Supreme Court's directive, which permits the bursting of firecrackers only between 8 pm and 10 pm and bans those emitting more than 125 decibels of noise, as well as series crackers. He instructed that permission for the sale of firecrackers should only be granted after shop owners provide undertakings to sell only green firecrackers.
The Minister praised the districts of Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, and Uttara Kannada, where 95 percent of the population worships eco-friendly Ganeshas, and commended the residents of these regions for their efforts. He urged for similar awareness campaigns to be implemented in other districts across the state.
Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh also participated in the meeting and proposed awarding certificates and prizes to Ganesha festival committees that set an example by installing and worshipping eco-friendly idols. She further recommended introducing a program to train school and college students, as well as youth, in the art of making clay Ganesha idols.
Minister Khandre called for the establishment of committees led by Deputy Commissioners to ensure strict compliance with eco-friendly practices. He stressed the need for widespread public awareness to discourage the use of Plaster of Paris (POP) idols, which are detrimental to the environment. The state has already imposed a ban on the production, transportation, sale, and storage of POP Ganesha idols and directed authorities to prevent their entry from other states.
During the meeting, the harmful effects of POP idols were underscored, with Khandre explaining that the immersion of these idols in water bodies releases pollutants that can harm aquatic life and pose health risks to both humans and livestock. The Minister recommended that Ganesha festival committees be required to submit undertakings while obtaining permissions, pledging not to worship or immerse POP idols or use firecrackers that contribute to noise or air pollution.
Khandre highlighted that despite the existing laws, public awareness is crucial to achieving success. He suggested leveraging WhatsApp groups of local welfare associations and utilizing audio announcements in garbage collection vehicles to spread the message. He also mentioned a criminal case filed against a Bengaluru unit that had produced a large number of POP idols.
On the topic of green firecrackers, Khandre referred to the Supreme Court's directive, which permits the bursting of firecrackers only between 8 pm and 10 pm and bans those emitting more than 125 decibels of noise, as well as series crackers. He instructed that permission for the sale of firecrackers should only be granted after shop owners provide undertakings to sell only green firecrackers.
The Minister praised the districts of Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, and Uttara Kannada, where 95 percent of the population worships eco-friendly Ganeshas, and commended the residents of these regions for their efforts. He urged for similar awareness campaigns to be implemented in other districts across the state.
Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh also participated in the meeting and proposed awarding certificates and prizes to Ganesha festival committees that set an example by installing and worshipping eco-friendly idols. She further recommended introducing a program to train school and college students, as well as youth, in the art of making clay Ganesha idols.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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