Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board has banned the use of plaster of Paris in the making of idols and laid down the green guidelines to ensure eco-friendly celebration of upcoming festivals.
The Board chairman N Baijendra Kumar has directed the collectors of all the districts to discourage the use of plaster of Paris in the idol making as it is not eco-friendly.He urged them to ensure idols are made of clay and organic colours are used to paint them so that no water pollution occurs after their immersion.
The green tribunal had issued guidelines on the use of plaster of Paris in the making of idols of different deities including Goddess Durga and Ganesh. The central pollution control board had also directed different states to implement the guidelines strictly.As per the directives of the green tribunal and central pollution control board, the Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board has issued the guidelines, officials said.
Baijendra Kumar in his letter to the district collectors also has stated that flowers, papers, plastic and other items used in the decoration during the festivals be kept separate and disposed in an appropriate way.
He urged the officials to ensure that such items are not burnt at the immersion sites. He has also given emphasis on the need for proper security at the immersion sites and urged the officials to ensure that the remaining of the idols can be brought out after the immersion.Kumar said necessary preparation should be made in ponds and rivers for immersion of idols to ensure that it does not cause pollution.