MUMBAI: The BMC has begun preparations to make Ganpati, Navratri and other community-based festivals more environment-friendly from next year.
The civic body held a meeting with officials from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and representatives of Ganesh and Navratri mandals on Friday, to ensure that all follow the guidelines issued by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
“The plan has already been initiated to implement the revised guidelines of the CPCB for immersion from next year’s Ganeshotsav. This includes separate guidelines for sculptors and artisans, Ganeshotsav mandals and Urban Local Bodies. It also includes separate instructions on idol immersion, as well as guidelines for state-level pollution control boards. All these suggestions were communicated to the stakeholders,” a senior BMC official said.
Some of the key recommendations include that idols should be made from only natural, biodegradable and eco-friendly materials. Plaster of Paris (PoP) sculptures have been banned as per the directions of the high court and the instructions of the CPCB.
“Sculptors must be registered with local bodies. They need to make eco-friendly sculptures. If the idol is found not to be environmentally friendly, the deposit will be confiscated and the registration will be cancelled for two years. Immersion of idols at home level is a priority,” an official explained.
They further said, “ In this connection, the members of the sculptors’ association said that it takes more time and space to make eco-friendly clay sculptures. They have asked that the BMC provide a mandap for more space and for a longer period of time.”
When decorating as well, the official emphasised on the use of leaves and flowers. “Single-use plastic is strictly prohibited. The colours used for painting idols, as well as for decoration, should be environment-friendly,” the official added.
