10,248 POP idols immersed on Ganesh Chaturthi in Benglauru

Bengaluru: As many as 10,248 Ganesha idols made of Plaster of Paris (POP) were immersed in the state capital alone on Ganesha Chaturthi, despite a state-wide ban on the use of synthetic material.

Karnataka Environment Minister Ishwar Khandre had announced the ban and imposition of a hefty penalty of 1 lakh rupees along with a 5-year imprisonment for the manufacture, sale, and discharge of POP Ganesha idols during the festival.

On September 18, a total of 1,53,965 Ganesha idols were immersed in water across Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) jurisdiction. Moreover, the civic body confirmed that 10,248 of these idols were made from the banned POP.

Looking at these numbers, it appears that awareness about the environmental hazards posed by these idols remains insufficient. Environmentalists questioned the lack of action against the erring persons. Despite the punitive provisions, the use of POP continues unabated, they said.

As per the provision of the law, the manufacture, sale, and discharge of POP idols are punishable under IPC sections 24, 41, and 43. This entails imprisonment for a minimum of one and a half years and a maximum of 6 years. Provisions of section 15 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986 can also be invoked on the use of POP idols and their disposal in water bodies, which carries a maximum of 5 years of prison term and a Rs 1 lakh penalty.