Dharwad: Officials from the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board and the revenue department raided a workshop at Garag village in Dharwad taluk on Monday evening and seized 184 Ganesha idols made using plaster of Paris (PoP).The making of Ganesha idols using PoP and their installation has been banned on environmental grounds, and the district administration has kept a watch on those who make PoP idols.Deputy commissioner Divya Prabhu stated that directions have been issued to file a criminal case against the owner under the Environmental Pollution Control Act.After getting a tip-off, a special team comprising personnel from the Pollution Control Board, revenue department, gram panchayat, and police department raided the workshop owned by one Vinayak Kalappa Pattar and seized the idols that were painted using chemicals, the DC said.During the raid, around 184 PoP Ganesha idols, large, medium, and small-sized, were found being prepared and painted with chemical coats at the premises owned by Vinayak Kalappa Pattaar in Garag village. The team seized 75 idols in Shivaji Colony and 109 idols in Sangolli Rayanna Colony. It has come to light that Pattaar is a wholesale and retail dealer of POP idols.He reportedly admitted during the inquiry that the idols were brought from Kolhapur in Maharashtra. The district police superintendent has been instructed to conduct a detailed investigation, register a case, and initiate legal action.The seized POP idols were transported in a truck, a tipper, and a tractor to Kalabhavan for safe storage. The DC said further action will be taken according to the rules in the coming days.DC appeals to use clay GaneshasClay Ganesha idols are eco-friendly and ideal for worship. For the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi, the public and festival committees are urged to use clay idols instead of POP idols, said DC Divya. POP idols do not dissolve in water and cause pollution to soil, water, and water sources, she added.Task forces activatedWith the Ganesha festival approaching, inter-departmental coordination meetings have been held, and task forces at the district, taluk, and village levels are being activated. Prohibited POP idols found through public information, surprise inspections, and raids will be seized.The DC also said that officials have been directed to begin public awareness campaigns from now on.
