Idol Threat: Not an Idle ThreatIdol Threat: Not an Idle Threat

Nidhee Meshram

Indrayani Shembekar

Vandana Pathak

L.A.D. & Smt.R.P. College for Women, Nagpur.

Introduction

• Water is the most precious element of life.

• Pollution of water due to immersion of idols after

Ganeshotsava & Durgapuja is a threat to regional & global

ecosystems.

• Mumbai High Court has admitted a PIL to ban immersion.

• Such immersion violates provisions of Water (Prevention)

Pollution Control Act, 1974 & Environment Protection Act,

1986.

The Present StudyThe Present Study

• Based on alarming news items throughout India.

• Practical considerations vs tradition.

• To save the nature, ecosystem and ultimately the

creatures on planet Earth.

• Air and water have been bestowed on Earth.

• It is our moral duty and responsibility to preserve it and

not mar it in the name of tradition.

• Few researches carried out are added as a case study

research in this paper.

Crystal Clear

Tinted Black

After EffectsAfter Effects

• Idols are made up of clay, hay, cloth, paper, wood,

thermocol, jute, adhesive material, and synthetic paints.

• Paints contain heavy metals such as chromium, lead,

nickel, cadmium and zinc.

• Immersion after rainy season allows the bio-degradable

and non-biodegradable matter in the water bodies to

settle down.

• Bio-degradable matter is recycled while non-

biodegradable substances form sediments and enter the

food chain of the aquatic ecosystem.

Alarming facts… Case Study 1-Bangalore City

• Study conducted by Energy & Wetlands Research Group,

Centre for Ecological Sciences, IISc, Bangalore

• Reveal eutrophication (-ve effect of broken down minerals)

on surrounding water sources as bore wells, open wells, etc.

• Lakes & ponds affect recharging ground water, irrigation or

domestic use.

• Pollution of heavy metals is cause of concern.

• Most water sources are sewage fed and immersions defeat

purpose of sanctity.• The findings of the study are of serious significance for

country.

Alarming facts… Case Study 2- Gulbarga City

• Immersion of idols are threatening historical Sharana

-basaveshwar Tank & Temple also abutting Gulbarga Fort.

• Reduced dissolved oxygen level witnessed fish-kill due to

contamination & high pollution.

• Lead content = 0.49 MGLD while permissible limit = 0.1

MGLD due to dissolved paint.

• BOD = 35 MGLD while permissible limit = 20 MGLD.

Dissolved solid = 50 to 400 MGLD.

Alarming facts… Case Study 2- Gulbarga City

• Material used included clay, bamboo, wood, straw, jute,

cloth, metal, paint & other decorative items.

• Flowers, leaves, incense sticks, & camphor were dumped.

• Clay caused accumulation of silt, the biodegradable and

non-biodegradable materials contaminated the water.

• Decomposition of biodegradable materials in tank resulted

in higher BOD & COD & reduced dissolved oxygen levels.

• Non-biodegradable materials caused release of heavy

metals in the water affecting the biotic life adversely.

Alarming facts…

Alarming facts… Case Study 3-Orissa

• 2 kg idol contained appro.15 gms lead as paint ingredient.

• Appro. 100,000 Ganesh idols are immersed, means 1,500

kg of lead is discharged after Ganesh Puja.

• Durga idol weighs appro.200 kg containing appro 1,500 gms

of lead.

• 5,000 Durga idols discharge appro. 7,500 kg of lead.

• Lead & chrome based paints pollute water bodies.

• Polythene bags, flowers, food offerings, decoration material,

polish, clothes & cosmetics thrown which do not degrade &

contaminate water for years to come.

Alarming facts… Case Study 4 - Patna City

• Every town along Ganges, thousands of Durga idols are

immersed in Bihar.

• 5,000 litres of paint is released into the Ganges from

idols, says Guddu Baba who leads to clean up Ganga.

• Idols are immersed & the authorities are indifferent

towards environmental threat, opines R. K. Sinha,

campaigning to help the river dolphins.

• Annually Yamuna river is invaded by toxins when idols

are immersed in its already polluted water.

Alarming facts… Case Study 5: Telangkhedi Lake at Nagpur

• West Nagpur common site for immersion of idols.

• In spite of repeated warnings of environmentalists, people dump ‘nirmalya’ in the lake.

• Photos of flowers, plastics, thermocol, wood, cane etc. floating & collected at the edges of water were flashed.

• Analysis of sample was done: pH = 7.3, turbidity of water = 5.3. Total suspended solid (TSS) = 22 & total dissolved solids (TDS) = 400.

Silent Expressions

Observations Harmful Effects

• Chemicals have a negative impact on aquatic life.

• Plaster of Paris is an insoluble powder, contaminates

water by forming impermeable layer at water bottom.

• Heavy metals like lead and chrome do not easily

assimilate in an aquatic environment affecting various fish

and prawn species.

• High levels of lead can damage the heart, kidneys, liver,

circulatory system and central nervous system.

Observations CPCB Study

• Idol immersion puts stress on water.

• Turbidity, conductivity & elevated levels of metals affect water.

• Indiscriminate disposal of solid wastes - shallow lakes &

converting few in to bogs.

• Silt deposits affect ground water recharging capability.

• Decomposition of biodegradable materials resulted in

reduced dissolved oxygen levels.

• Non-biodegradable paints caused release of heavy metals in

water affecting biotic life.

Experts Opine

• A.K.Singh of Green Life & R.N. Trivedi, Environmentalist -

idols made of non bio-degradable material instead of clay.

• Synthetic paints on idols, mica, synthetic flowers, plaster

of Paris & other items increase pollution .

• Paints contain toxic chemicals like cadmium, strontium &

phosphorous.

• Situation worsens due to sediments of dangerous colours.

• Water to be examined thrice - before, during & a day

after, says Gopalkrishna.

Way Out

Preventive Measures

• CPCB authorities advised to use natural dyes &

recyclable materials for making the idols.

• Restrict polybags, aluminium foil, baked clay,

clothes & other insoluble products in water.

• Awareness about `environment-friendly' Ganesh

idol made of `water-soluble' paper pulp.

• Use of clay idols with natural colours & immersed in

bucket, could be used in gardens.

Preventive Measures

• Devotees could be educated on water pollution.

• Idols made of clay, eco-friendly & coloured with organic dyes derived from vegetables, seeds, fruits & clay soils.

• Size of the idols be restricted to 5’ to 7’.

• Civic bodies to identify & notify number of designated immersion centres a month before the festivals to reduce pollution.

• The collector be directed to ensure immersion of idols made of clay and use organic paints.

Hooked God…!

Preventive Measures

• Immersion in sea to be permitted only beyond 500 metres of

low-tide line.

• Temporary ponds could come up for inland immersion.

• Public participation to create awareness to keep water bodies

clean is vital.

• The pollution board to create a coordinating committee of

environmentalists & Puja committee to create awareness for

smooth functioning without hurting sentiments.

Conclusion• Immersion is an age old ritual, cannot be banned but

alternative arrangements be made.

• Threat posed due to immersion needs serious attention.

• Use of natural colours & materials for idols.

• Worshippers should remove all decorating material.

• These should be collected & disposed of or recycled.

• Concentrated and concerted efforts are needed on part of all

stakeholders to rectify the situation.

Thank you