Hyderabad: While it may seem obvious that clay idols are more eco-friendly than plaster of Paris, a deeper understanding of the dangers of the use of Ganesh idols made with Plaster of Paris and iron is needed to save our lakes and other water bodies from imminent pollution.
Four crusaders against lake and environmental pollution - Abhinav Gangumalla and Santosh Banpur, founders of city-based Hyderabad Goes Green; Deepak Rao, a farmer and rain water harvesting expert; and Arun Krishnamurthy, founder-president of Environmentalist Foundation of India; give us an insight into the dangers posed by idols made with plaster of Paris or materials other than clay.
Q: Why exactly are PoP idols not good for water bodies?
Deepak Rao: It is simple. The material is not environmental-friendly. It is a chemical that does not dissolve in water and raises its toxicity over time.
Krishnamurthy: Once an idol is immersed, it disintegrates after some time. But the iron used in it as the frame sinks to the bottom while PoP settles as silt on the water-bed. This cuts down the oxygen level in the water affecting the aquatic life.
Q: Why is clay the perfect alternative to PoP?
Krishnamurthy: Clay has natural constituents. As per our tradition, idols are made with clay collected from friends and family. In places like Kolkata people still follow the tradition and clay idols are popular choices there.
Gangumalla: Clay idols, when immersed in water, begin to melt. No chemicals iare used in their making. The frame is made with eco-friendly bamboo as opposed to iron.
Deepak Rao: Clay use puts the bio-cycle in place. Using clay means collecting it from the lake. That automatically sets in place a de-silting process. Once the idols are immersed back in water, the clay settles back as silt.
Q: The fascination for PoP is a tough cookie to crumble. How best can that be tackled?
Santosh Banpur: People are beginning to realise that PoP is not eco-friendly. Over the past two years, there has been a rise in the number of clay idols being sold. Making them available in larger numbers and raising the awareness level about its advantages is one way of breaking the fascination for PoP.
Krishnamurthy: People need to understand that looking for an alternative to PoP is important. Once the lakes get poisoned, where will one look for an alternative water body? Banning PoP is necessary. But that isn’t something that can be achieved through local municipalities. There has to be a strong judicial intervention, as in the case of tiger reserves. Unless the judiciary mandates the use of clay or rather bans immersion of PoP idols in lakes and seas, there will not be a permanent solution. If you have a swimming pool at home and wish to immerse the idol, then no issue. But PoP cannot be immersed in lakes, rivers or seas.
Q: Does GHMC’s incentives to clay-idol makers make a difference? Or will making it harder for PoP artisans by levying higher taxes?
Deepak Rao: The GHMC has been supportive to the cause. They have made it easier for clay idol makers. But people’s preference is what will make the ultimate difference.
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