Every year over 500 idols of lord Ganesh in and around Jajpur district are immersed in the rivers and other water bodies after the Puja is over.
Concerned over the trend, this year’s Ganesh festival is going to be an environment-friendly one with many school authorities opting for pollution-free Ganesh idols. “Many idols are made of plaster of Paris that takes longer time to dissolve. It also reduces the oxygen level in the water. The use of baked clay, coconut husk, aluminum foil and clothes impedes the smooth flow of the river. Baked clay, which does not dissolve in water, raises the river bed level.
The colors and polish on the idols are toxic in nature. There is a need to provide some respite to the river and other water bodies, which are already filthy,” said Sudhansu Parida, an environmentalist and secretary of the district unit of Peoples For Animal (PFA). It is high time idol makers were educated to make pollution free Ganesh idols. They should use non-toxic colours to paint the idols. Prior to immersion, materials such as flowers, clothes and decorating items should be removed and collected for recycling, added Parida.
“This year, we placed an order for eco-friendly Ganesh idol for our school,” said Netaji Model School principal Ajaya Kumar in Bari. “After getting orders of eco-friendly Ganesh idols from many educational institutions, we have started using natural colours. We use turmeric for yellow colour and leaf for green colour. We are using natural colours to prevent our rivers from getting polluted,” said artist Ramesh Behera of Kumbharsahi.
“Traditionally, we have been using environment-friendly products to make idols. We can do it now too as they are easily available in the market,” said another idol maker of Jajpur town Ranjan Behera. “We are already popularising environment friendly idols made of clay and having non-toxic natural colours,” he added.“All we want is an attractive idol with eye-catching colours,” said many purchasers. Some are even unaware of the idols made of plaster of Paris. They are worried about offering puja to the idol without any colour. lack of awareness is apparent. The idols without colours are not in demand. A majority of the public prefers attractive idols over eco-friendly ones,” said artisan Ashok Behera.