Mumbai News: BMC Urges Konkan Idol Makers To Adopt Eco-Friendly Clay For Ganeshotsav; Cites HC Ban On PoP Idols

Mumbai: To ensure an eco-friendly Ganeshotsav this year, the BMC has sent a letter to the Konkan Divisional Commissioners, urging them to encourage idol makers in the Konkan districts to create eco-friendly idols using clay (shadu) instead of the traditionally used Plaster of Paris (PoP). As part of this initiative, the BMC also held a coordination meeting with the Idol Makers Association at the F South Ward office on Friday.

Prashant Sapkale, the Deputy Municipal Commissioner of Zone 2 and Ganeshotsav Coordinator conducted a review of the initiatives undertaken by civic officials and idol makers to ensure an eco-friendly Ganeshotsav this year. The meeting was attended by DMC (Environment) Rajesh Tamhane, along with representatives from various idol makers' associations in Mumbai.

During the discussions, Tamhane highlighted the importance of adhering to legal guidelines, emphasising, "We have duly informed idol makers about the Bombay High Court's (HC) order. On January 30, the court issued a stringent directive banning the manufacture, sale, and immersion of idols made from PoP. This ruling was made to ensure compliance with the environmental guidelines set forth by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)."

Idol makers are being provided with free Shadu clay by the BMC to create idols and designated spaces for their installations on a "First Come, First Served" basis. Sapkale urged the idol makers to fully leverage this facility.

He stressed the importance of crafting eco-friendly idols, ensuring that this year’s Ganeshotsav is celebrated in an environmentally responsible manner. A civic official said that the BMC would be providing training sessions for its staff and officials to effectively distinguish between idols made from PoP and those made from clay.