Puducherry, September 13, 2013: With Vinayaga Chathurthi having been celebrated with pomp across the town, it is now time for the immersion of idols. Although many people have already completed the immersion of the Ganesha idols, for the rest, there is an advisory from the Puducherry Pollution Control Committee (PPCC) on the various conditions that need to be observed before immersing the idols.

In order to see amount of pollution caused by the immersion of idols, the PPCC has employed a laboratory from Chennai to test the water quality before and after the main immersion on Saturday.

The lab will not only check for regular pollution parameters, but also for the presence of heavy metals, Director of the Department of Science, Technology and Environment (DSTE) M. Dwaraknath said.

Roping in NGO

Like last year, the DSTE has asked a local NGO to provide bins to collect flowers and other compostable materials that are discarded from the idol.

“Like all other religious festivals, imposing too many rules will not be possible, but to the best extent possible, it is necessary to preserve the environment,” he said.

The conditions for immersion of the idols have been drawn up to ensure that the waters around Puducherry are not polluted. Several of these conditions relate to the idol itself, but there are others that govern transportation and the actual immersion.

The PPCC has asked that the immersion of idols be done close to the place where the idol is placed, which will help to avoid unnecessary environment pollution. Another condition is the use of traditional clay for the idols rather than using baked clay, which will not dissolve in the water.

Also, when using coloured idols, the dyes used should be water-soluble and non-toxic.

When one chooses to immerse the idol in the sea, the immersion is to be done between the low tide line and the high tide line.

Motor boats

There will be motor boats with security personnel that are deployed to supervise the immersion; these boats are provided with safety equipment.

Further, at the time of immersion, ornaments on the idol like flowers, clothing, decorative materials and paper should not be discarded into the sea, but they should be disposed of safely. The people have also been asked not to burn solid waste at the immersion sites.

NOC for larger idols

Before immersion of larger idols or community idols, a ‘No Objection’ certificate should be obtained from the PPCC.

Source: The Hindu, September 13, 2013