Dozens of Ganesh idols made of Plaster of Paris (PoP) immersed after one and a half days have been washed ashore at Caranzalem beach. Not only Ganesh idols but photographs of Gods were also on the beach raising concerns over the pollution caused by the PoPs and plastics which will further affect the fish in the sea.
As the state is in festive mood of Ganesh Chaturthi, the ill effects of this festival arises during the immersion of the Ganesh idols. Despite strict guidelines and a complete ban on using PoP by Central Pollution Control Body, idol makers are still using PoP to sculpt the idols. Idols made with PoP are light in weight compared to that made from clay. The light in weight feature makes the buyer buy the PoP idol.
These idols do not dissolve in the water well and hence floats on the water due to which they are washed ashore by the waves. The Caranzalem shore was filled with broken Ganesh idols and their parts scattered on the beach, flowers, garlands, photographs, etc.
PoP idols do not dissolve in water easily and can take months or years to completely disintegrate. This is because PoP is non-biodegradable and can release toxic chemicals and heavy metals into water bodies. These chemicals further cause severe harm to aquatic life and water quality.
The Caranzalem fisherfolk community has been battling with the government to keep the beach clean from pollution as over the years they have faced hardships due to depleting fish in the sea. Every year they net out more of plastic and less fish, which has affected the business of the fisherfolks. They have attributed that due to pollution, the fish are diminishing.
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