Maharashtra govt to come up with long-term policy on Plaster of Paris Ganesh idols

Mumbai | Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday asked officials to formulate an environmentally sustainable policy on large Plaster of Paris (PoP) Ganesh idols that would also be "rooted in tradition".

The immersion of PoP idols in natural water bodies during the Ganesh festival has been a contentious issue as plaster of Paris is seen as a pollutant.

Chairing a high-level meeting to discuss eco-friendly celebration of festivals here, Fadnavis stressed the need to balance cultural practices with environmental conservation, a statement from the Chief Minister's Office said.

"The policy must integrate long-term environmental solutions while being rooted in tradition. It should also be robust enough to stand legal tests," the chief minister said during the meeting.

The CMO statement noted that the Bombay High Court had issued certain directions regarding the immersion of PoP idols, and in response, the state government commissioned a study by the Rajiv Gandhi Science and Technology Commission.

The report, submitted by the commission's chairperson Dr Anil Kakodkar, included recommendations such as exploring the possibility of deep-sea immersion for large idols.

Fadnavis, meanwhile, also instructed civic authorities to implement robust post-immersion clean-up drives, particularly along the beaches, and promote the use of eco-friendly materials and natural colours in idol-making.

Culture minister Ashish Shelar, who also attended the meeting, suggested that smaller idols should be immersed in artificial ponds, and an awareness campaign should be launched to encourage the use of clay and sustainable materials in idol-making.

In his report, Dr Kakodkar underscored the environmental hazards of chemical-based colours and advocated greater public awareness and a shift towards eco-friendly idol production to mitigate water pollution.

The state government is expected to inform the HC about its stand after considering the report's recommendations and further study, the CMO release said.