[HaroldMY]

Several eco-friendly Chennaiites say no to plaster of Paris Ganesha figurines, but lament there is no one to check idols

Chennai corporation sources attached to Triplicane zone, who remove the waste and trash after the Ganesha idols are immersed postchaturthi celebrations, confirm that every year a huge quantity of solid waste, comprising plaster of Paris, is removed from the beach. It was in 2005, after the Madras high court's intervention, the concept of ecofriendly Vinayakas was popularised in Chennai.
The Tamil Nadu pollution control board (TNPCB) also banned Ganesha figurines made of plaster of Paris and chemical paints, but there is no proper monitoring by the board or any other government agencies, sources said.01_09_2011_006_022_009.jpg

“For Chennai and its suburbs, the city police have provided permission at 1,200 spots where Vinayaka figurines, made as per eco-friendly standards prescribed by the government, can be kept,“ said additional commissioner of police (law and order) P.Tamaraikannan. “The police cannot check whether the idol is ecofriendly or chemical coated and it is the duty of the TNPCB to check these figurines,” opined Mr N. Balaji, a software professional documenting wetland birds in Chennai. Further, the concept of chaturthi immersion has to be made more eco-friendly to conserve water bodies and biodiversity, he said.

“Studies have revealed that the chemical waste and plastics are entering the coasts creating adverse effect among marine mammals. Clean oceans and water bodies are the need of hour,” emphasises a volunteer of the Indian Maritime Foundation which is planning a coastal cleanup on Saturday.

“Chaturthi is an important festival and has a cultural value; the mode of celebrations has to be streamlined considering the importance of water bodies in and around Chennai,“ said Mr R.
Govindaraj, joint secretary, Exnora International.

Besides the Marina in Chennai, 15 water bodies have been identified in Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram districts for immersion of idols which include Buckingham canal, Kosasthalayar river, Cooum lake and Kanagama Chatiram tank.

TNPCB officials were unavailable for their comments. VIGNETTES ON EVE OF VINAYAKA CHATURTHI Some hard truths behind Ganesha idols Post Chaturthi celebrations, every year a huge chunk of solid waste, comprising plas ter of Paris, is removed from the beach Ganesha idols made of plas ter of Paris have been banned, but the ban is not implemented Studies have said the pollu tion threatens marine life.