With a view to preventing water bodies from getting polluted by idol immersions, the Chhattisgarh Government has decided to strictly implement the guidelines issued by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
For the strict implementation of guidelines issued by CPCB during idol immersion and generating of public awareness towards the efforts being initiated in this direction, wider publicity shall be undertaken, stated Chairman of Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board (CECB) and Principal Secretary Housing and Environment Department Aman Kumar Singh during a meeting held here on Tuesday.
In the meeting it was decided, that temporary pond/bund would be constructed in which the idols would be immersed.
Prior to the immersion articles used in puja like flowers, clothes, decorative items made up of plastic and papers shall be removed from the idols.
These items would be suitably disposed so that pollution of water bodies could be controlled. Burning of waste material at the immersion site has also been banned.
“The concerned local urban body should make the arrangements ready beforehand and should inform people about the immersion spot,” Singh said.
Urban bodies should also generate awareness for creation of small idols according to the culture and use of natural dye-soil clay in making the idols, Singh said while adding that use of synthetic chemical paints and dye should be discouraged.
According to Singh, sufficient security arrangements should be made at the immersion spot and synthetic liners should be also installed in the pond. Also, the liner should be removed after the immersions are finished so that idol remains could be also separated from water.
Notably, CECB has already released a circular to all District Collectors, Superintendent of Police and other concern officers in this regard.