A Time of Celebration or

Impending Environmental Disaster

A wide spectrum of culturally very different
rituals and mode of festival celebrations are
witnessed in India. Ganesh festival is one of
the main festivals in Maharashtra. This festival
is also celebrated as community festival.
However, with festival comes environmental
disaster.
 Forgetting Traditions

 Traditional clay to make Ganesh idols has

slowly been replaced by Plaster of Paris (POP)
over the years.
 POP contains chemicals such as gypsum,
sulphur, phosphorus, and magnesium that do
not biodegrade.
Traditional natural dye paints replaced by heavy metal
based paints that contain mercury, cadmium, arsenic,
lead, and carbon. Hence they are toxic for
environment.
 Changes in Concentration (mg/l) of
some chemical pollutants after idol
immersion in water bodies water bodies[1]
Mean Concentration In Water Concentration before Immersion of Idols Concentration after Immersion of
Chemical Idols
Pollutants
Calcium 25.14 43.77 68.4*
Magnesium 7.785 6.590 10.02*
Molybdenum 0.090 0.149 0.534*
Silicon 3.537 2.954 3.826**
Arsenic 0.124 0.121 0.497

Iron 0.212 0.125 0.22**

Lead 0.289 0.351 0.45**
Mercury 0.689 0.553 0.778**

[1]
Goel, P.K. and Sharma, K.P., Environmental Guidelines and Standards in India, (Technoscience Publications, Jaipur)
[2]
TLV: The permissible level of a toxic pollutant to which a healthy person is exposed during an eight hour day without any adverse effect.

Threshold Limit Value (TLV)[2]: *TLV=0.01; **TLV=0.05

Fruits,
garlands,
decorations
replaced by
disposable
plastic or
thermocol
alternatives
that do not
biodegrade.
The impact on natural environment caused by the use
and immersion of Lord Icons created using Plaster
of Paris which after immersion in Water Bodies, do
not disintegrate which is totally against the basic
concept of creation of the Lord Icons using earth
from nearby one's home and thus the cycle of
creation and dissolution in Nature.
 Plastic and
thermocol waste,
including polythene
bags containing
offerings, is usually
immersed with the
idols,obstructs the
flow of streams,
leading to flooding
during the rains.
 It also choke the
aquatic life.
 Bamboo sticks, beauty articles float in water or settle
at the river bottom inhabiting river flow.
 The stagnant water become a breeding ground for
diseases and is a major health hazard for a locality.
 Eatables,
food items,
etc.
contribute
oil and
grease,
organics to
water
bodies.
 Flowers, garlands, oily substances increase floating
suspended matter, organic contamination, oil and
grease and various organic and inorganic matter.
Firecrackers are traditionally perceived as being
the highlight of celebrations. All available
crackers contain large amounts of toxic
substances & violate the prescribed limit of 125
decibels at a distance of 4 meters from the point
of bursting.
 Song and dance are an integral part of the
Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. Ear-splitting
decibels are not just disturbing, but a major
health hazard for senior citizens, Children and
patients in the locality or neighborhood.
RETURN TO ECO-FESTIVALS
 You can go for a better option of having a Lord Ganesh Murti
made of Stone / Brass / any other metal according to the
aesthetic value you have and have the same Murti every year
for the festival.

 If you do wish to use a Plaster of Paris (POP) Icon, then do not

immerse the icon and have it repainted every year before the
festival. Sprinkle water over the idol for symbolic immersion.

 Get Creative! Use Icons made of Paper pulp (mache) can give
us the same light weight icons which can be much more
attractive than the POP ones. But do think of usage of paper
also.
 Do not buy idols painted with chemical
colours or those having non-biodegradable
material (thermocol, plastic, etc) as
decorations.
Encourage people to immerse Ganesh Icons in
Tanks rather than Natural water bodies. Let the
other living creatures also be safe and healthy.
Say no to Polythene or plastic on this ganesh
festival.
Flowers and other biodegradable material used
in worship may be used for mulching by
spreading them on the top soil around plants or
trees. They can also be composted.
Do not use loud sounds during processions
and prayers.
Let us take the initiative and ensure a
less polluted festival season

THANK YOU