Tuesday, 17 SEPTEMBER 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The State government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) should take the lead in educating devotees about the importance of not causing harm to water bodies during Ganesha Visarjan, the experts said. This year, the Ganesha Chaturthi festival began on September 7 and saw an increase in enthusiasm among the city residents. However, it has been noted that during the immersion of Ganesh idols in various water bodies of Dehradun in areas including Maldevta, Tapkeshwar and others, people contaminate the water with colours and other materials. Experts have emphasised the detrimental effects of toxic colours and Ganesh idols made from harmful substances on the water bodies.
Talking to The Pioneer, assistant professor of geology at Doon University, Rajeev Saran Ahluwalia expressed his appreciation for religious rituals but emphasised the need for people to understand the importance of water bodies in their lives. He noted that idols made of plaster and cement dissolve in water over time, posing a threat to water bodies. The pollution caused by harmful materials and toxic colours affects aquatic animals and indirectly impacts the health of the local community. Further, the delay in idol decomposition can reduce oxygen levels in the water. To combat these issues, Ahluwalia suggested using organic materials for idols and opting for immersion in a small home tank instead of water bodies. He stressed the importance of government and NGOs working together to raise awareness about not polluting water bodies during activities like Ganesh Visarjan. Instead of conducting Visarjan at water bodies, the government can consider restricting this practice and designate specific areas for devotees to dissolve Ganesh idols in water, suggested the individual, he added.
Additionally, the secretary of the Society of Pollution and Environmental Conservation Scientists (SPECS) Brij Mohan Sharma said that the use of toxic colours during Ganesh Visarjan can have adverse effects on water bodies. He highlighted that Ganesh idols crafted from plaster and cement can also harm water bodies, leading to negative impacts on flora, fauna, biodiversity and more. Sharma recommended that individuals should take responsibility for environmental health by choosing eco-friendly Ganesh idols made from materials like cow dung and clay. Moreover, he urged the State government to impose restrictions on the sale of Ganesh idols made from harmful materials to protect water bodies. Sharma also stressed the need for collaboration between NGOs and the government to educate the public about the significance of preserving water bodies.
