Nagpur: The state govt has extended restrictions governing the sale and immersion of Plaster of Paris (POP) idols until Bombay High Court delivers its verdict on the issue. The guidelines mandate sculptors and sellers to put a clearly visible circular red mark in oil paint on the back of every POP idol.The environment and climate change department on Tuesday issued a circular stating that guidelines notified in August 2025 will continue to remain in force until the court’s decision. The norms were initially applicable to festivals held up to March 31, 2026, but were extended in view of interim orders passed by the high court in the ongoing public interest litigation concerning POP idols.As per the guidelines, POP idols installed at homes and those below six feet in height can be immersed only in artificial ponds created by local bodies. For mandals installing idols taller than six feet, immersion in natural water bodies can be permitted only if no alternative facility is available. In such cases, civic bodies must ensure that the POP material is retrieved from the water body by the following day.Sellers are required to maintain a register recording POP idol sales, with compliance linked to licences issued by local bodies.In Nagpur, markets are flooded with PoP idols without the red mark, making enforcement of norms a challenge for Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC).Govt has further directed sellers to provide buyers with an information pamphlet explaining the applicable immersion norms. NMC has been asked to collect details of idols installed by registered mandals, including whether they are made of POP, and plan immersion arrangements accordingly.For large idols, the guidelines encourage mandals to make smaller replicas for immersion while preserving the main idol for reinstallation in subsequent years.Local bodies have been directed to provide adequate artificial immersion ponds and directional signage. NMC will set up more than 400 artificial tanks across the city for Ganesh visarjan this year.The guidelines also prescribe treatment of water from POP immersion ponds within seven days and storage of sediment for 15 days before recycling or reprocessing. Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and local bodies have been directed to conduct awareness campaigns on eco-friendly celebrations and POP immersion rules.POP IDOL IMMERSION RULESBelow 6 ft: Household and smaller POP idols only in artificial tanksAbove 6 ft: Large POP idols can be immersed in water bodies only if no alternative facility is availableRed mark: Every POP idol must have a clearly visible circular red oil-paint mark on its backSales register: Sellers must maintain a register of POP idol salesBuyer information: Sellers must provide a pamphlet on immersion rules to buyersAfter immersion: POP material from natural water bodies must be recovered the next dayLarge idols: Mandals are encouraged to make smaller immersion replicas and preserve the main idol for reinstallationArtificial ponds: Water must be treated within seven days; sediment must be stored for 15 days before recycling/reprocessing
