Pune Municipal Corporation has issued guidelines for an environment-friendly Ganeshotsav. Here’s what the guidelines say.
Idol Sale and Identification
Plaster of Paris (POP) idol manufacturers and sellers should clearly put a clearly visible circular mark in red oil paint at the back of the idols while selling them.
Idol manufacturers and sellers should maintain a record of the sale of idols.
Size and Reuse of Ganesh Idols
Public Ganesh Mandals installing large idols should use a smaller idol for immersion, instead of immersing the large idol.
The large idol should be reused in the subsequent years rather than making a large new idol every year.
Materials for Making Idols
Idols should be made only from natural, biodegradable and environment friendly materials such as traditional clay or chiknamati.
Use of toxic or non degradable raw materials such as Plaster of Paris, Thermocol or Polystyrene is prohibited.
Immersion Rules
POP idols, household Ganesh idols or any other idol six feet in height, should be immersed only in artificial immersion ponds.
Public mandals with idols more than six feet height may immerse them in natural water bodies only if no other option is available.
Idol Decoration
Idols should be painted with natural, non-toxic, water based, bio-degradable and environment friendly paints. Use of toxic and non bio degradable paints is prohibited.
The guidelines encourage the use of colors prepared from plants and other natural ingredients.
Reuse and Recycling After Immersion
Natural materials and colors used in the idol should be selected so that they can be easily removed after immersion.
Other nirmalya should also be collected separately before immersion and be processed through an environment friend process.
Appeal to Citizens
PMC appeals to citizens to follow the guidelines and contribute towards and environment friendly Ganeshotsav in Pune.
