Minister for Environment Antar Singh Arya has appealed to the people of the State, idol makers andtraders to install Ganesh Idols made from clay on the occasion of Ganesh Utsav. He also appealed to the traders and idol makers to oppose POP.
Arya said that immersion of POP idols decreases the water level capacity of lakes and ponds. Bad effects of chemical colours results in various diseases among the humans and animals. Use of clay idol is difficult in the beginning but we will become used to it. Clay idols can be immersed at home also.
Arya said that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Man Ki Baat Programme on Sunday over radio emphasized on this and said there is a need for pledge towards protection of environment during the Ganesh Utsav.
All the districts collectors have been issued guidelines and instructions by the environment department. Action is being taken by the collectors at their own level, he added.
Instructions as regard to include more and more children in the campaign have been issued. Arya asserted that there is a tradition in Indian culture to worship Ganesh symbolizing clay, betel nut and cow dunk.
Swastik made on Mangal Kalash also symbolizes Ganesh. Teach children to make clay idol and apprised them about the ill effects of POP. Arya directed the
district collectors to include more and more children under this campaign.
Free training is being given by the EPCO and Mati Kala Board to make Ganesh Idol from clay. Besides this many organisations,
institutions and non-government organisations are providing training to prepare Ganesh Idol from clay.