PANJIM: Ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi, Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has decided to collect water samples from major immersion spots to ascertain the environmental impact of immersing plaster of Paris (PoP) idols.
The Environment Department and District Collectorate are the nodal agencies monitoring the sale and transportation of PoP idols, but they have not been able to efficiently control the same.
GSPCB Chairman Jose Manuel Noronha stated that the Board will collect water samples from prime spots before and after idol immersion to ascertain the water pollution potential of PoP idols. He said, “There is a State-wide ban on the use of such idols, but some people still sell the same in small numbers. We need to study the impact of such idol
immersion.”
Ganesh Chaturthi begins on September 17. In Panjim, the major immersion spots include Miramar, Dona Paula, the ferry point, and Caranzalem, among others.
“Idols should be made of clay and not plaster of Paris. PoP idols don’t dissolve completely in water and can clog rivers, besides other problems. They have irreversible effects on the coastal ecology. To avoid environment degradation, the government has proposed clay idols,” added Noronha.
The manufacturing, transporting, stocking, selling or displaying PoP idols are punishable under Section 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act 1986, and the licences granted to sellers can be cancelled.
