Mumbai: The state govt on Monday issued guidelines for immersion of Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols for Ganeshotsav. Guidelines issued by the Environment Department state that Ustav Samiti / Sarvajanik Mandal Ganpati idols exceeding five feet in height ‘may be’ permitted to be immersed in natural water bodies (like lakes and sea) where no alternative immersion facility is available. PoP idols intended for household celebrations or those less than five feet in height will have to be immersed only in artificial water ponds. All local bodies will be responsible for implementation of these regulations which also state that local bodies must encourage ‘Ustav Samiti / Sarvajanik Mandals’ in their jurisdiction to install small-sized idols. In cases where large idols are installed, the committees should be encouraged to also install a smaller replica specifically for immersion purposes, while the larger idol may be reused or reinstalled the following year, the guidelines state. The 10-day festival of Ganeshotsav begins Aug 27 and the idols have already started arriving in their pandals since mid July. In case of immersion in natural lakes or sea, since PoP doesn’t dissolve immediately, local bodies will have to ensure collection of immersed material on the very next day of immersion. “The local body shall ensure collection either by themselves or by engaging specialised agencies to clean the sea bed or natural water bodies where idols are immersed. Also, collection and scientific recycling or reuse shall be undertaken by the local body,” the guidelines state. At present, legal restrictions prevent PoP idol visarjan from being performed in the sea.The guidelines also ask manufacturers and sellers of PoP idols to mark a clearly visible circular red symbol using oil paint on the backside of idols and idol-makers and -sellers must maintain a sale register for PoP idols. The guidelines state that local bodies will include this requirement as a condition for granting licences to idol makers and sellers.
