In 2020, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) banned idol makers from using Plaster of Paris (PoP) for making idols. This order was put in place to avoid polluting water bodies by their immersion. However, despite their ban, PoP idols are still easily available in the Mumbai markets. Seeing this, Shree Ganesh Murti Kala Samithi has written a letter to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) demanding the civic body to install checkpoints to prevent the entry of PoP idols in the city.
Idol Makers Ask BMC To Prevent Entry Of PoP Idols In Mumbai
About four years ago, CPCB banned the use of PoP for making idols. This move initially upset many idol makers in Mumbai as PoP is one of the cheapest and most convenient materials to make idols. However, over the years, the idol makers’ association have come to terms with this order and most of them are complying with it as well. However, PoP idols are still easily accessible in the market.
This has caused an idol makers’ association – Shree Ganesh Murti Kala Samithi- to write a letter to BMC to set up checkpoints to prevent the entry of PoP statues and idols into the city. With Ganesh Chaturthi just a few months away, this is a great concern for the idol makers in the city.
According to a report in Mid-Day, the letter said that most of the Plaster of Paris idols and statues in Mumbai come from outside the city. That’s why, they have requested BMC to install checkpoints to prevent their entry and sales in Mumbai. They further mentioned that doing this will help everyone celebrate the festival in an eco-friendly manner.
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BMC’s Prohibition & Rules On Plaster Of Paris
We all know the adverse effects of Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols on the environment. Environmentalists and even authorities have time and again emphasised turning to environment-friendly idols during festivities to ensure that marine life and water bodies don’t bear the brunt of human celebrations.
The CPCB issued detailed guidelines banning PoP idols in 2020. In this, they mentioned how they harm marine ecology and cause water pollution. Keeping in line with these guidelines, BMC prohibited the use of PoP idols in Mumbai in 2021. This was extremely necessary, especially seeing the data. As per BMC data shared by Mid-Day, almost 2.34 lakh Ganesh idols were immersed in Mumbai last year.
Seeing this, BMC again issued a notification in April 2024 that stated that CPCB guidelines are mandatory for all idol makers and residents, and sales of PoP statues are prohibited in the city. They have instead advised people to get idols made with eco-friendly materials.
We hope this concern of the idol makers reaches the concerned authorities and they take even stricter measures to ensure zero tolerance on Plaster of Paris idols. Let us know your two cents on this in the comments section.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva (representative image)
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