PoP Ganesha idols flood markets despite ban

Mysuru: Sales of Plaster of Paris (PoP) Ganesha idols are booming across Mysuru city, with preparations for Ganesha Chaturthi installations underway in several localities. This is despite the Pollution Control Board’s directive to use only clay idols.

The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board has largely limited itself to appealing to citizens to celebrate an ‘eco-friendly Ganesha festival’ rather than taking effective steps to curb the sale of PoP idols.

The State Government has framed rules for Ganesha idol installations, while the Police Department has issued special guidelines for their strict enforcement. However, joint inspections by Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) officials and Pollution Control Board authorities appear to have had little impact on idol sellers. Some sellers have reportedly remained defiant, telling officials: “Impose penalties on us if you want. We’ll pay whatever amount is imposed.”

For hundreds of families in Mysuru, making Ganesha idols has been a traditional livelihood. Many continue to make clay idols and follow Government regulations. However, attracted by higher profits, several traders are bringing PoP idols from Andhra Pradesh, Mumbai and Tamil Nadu and selling them here.

The environmental consequences of immersing such idols in water bodies, including the impact on aquatic ecosystems, appear to have taken a back seat. Despite Police deployment at various points, groups of youths and traders are travelling to Andhra Pradesh, Mumbai and Tamil Nadu, selecting large PoP idols and transporting them to Mysuru. Several such idols are reportedly being brought here openly.

While authorities are aware of the movement, effective action against the sellers appears limited. Large idols are kept away from public view until the festival, when they are installed. Sellers are also said to be banking on the difficulty of enforcement once an idol has been consecrated.

Festival turns into competition

In recent years, festivals have increasingly become occasions for displays of prestige, with Ganesha Chaturthi no exception. Youth groups often compete to install larger idols, spending lakhs of rupees. The competition has proved lucrative for idol sellers, who are capitalising on the demand for increasingly large idols.

The enforcement drive has also led to heated exchanges between officials and idol makers. When MCC staff conduct inspections, some manufacturers question the action, asking: “You permit flex/ banners, yet harass us over idols. Why this discrimination?”

Such arguments have become common as officials try to enforce environmental regulations while idol makers cite tradition and livelihood concerns.

PoP idols will not be accepted for immersion

All MCC Zonal Officers have been instructed not to accept Plaster of Paris (PoP) Ganesha idols for immersion. Vigilance has been stepped up at all lakes. The MCC and Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) jointly inspected Ganesha idols yesterday.

Under Zone-3, KSPCB officer Arpitha and Environmental Engineer Shivaprasad inspected the idols and broke off portions to verify that they were made of clay. They also informed the owners about the rules, obtained undertakings and created awareness about the environmental hazards posed by PoP idols and toxic paints.

—M.K. Savitha, Commissioner, Mysuru City Corporation