Karnataka - Belgaum   

Environmental hazards among administration’s concerns

Not ‘green’: The use of plaster of Paris in making Ganesh idols is a cause for concern.

Belgaum: The district administration is concerned over maintenance of law and order and communal harmony even as devotees are gearing up for the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations from September 3 to 14. The environmental hazards posed by the festivities is an added worry.

The ten-day public celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi started as part of the “Swaraj”, the strongest proponent of which was Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak.

One of the objectives of organising the festival was to instill a sense of unity among the people against the British.

But, as elsewhere in the country, there have been communal clashes during the festivities in Belgaum district too, in the recent past. This has become a major concern for the government and the public at large, forcing the district administration to impose restrictions with regard to setting up of “pandals,” fire safety, drawing of power cables, use of sound systems, display of images, bursting of crackers and so on.

“Ganesh mandals” have been asked to obtain permission from the nearest police station to set up “pandals,” and avoid collecting entry fee or run lotteries. Sound systems should not be used between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The mandals are required to follow the route finalised by the Police Department during the immersion procession, and the processions should not stop at one place for more than two minutes. It has been directed that water in adequate quantity should be stored for use in the event of fire. At least two volunteers should be on guard at each and every pandal round-the-clock.

The use of plaster of Paris for making Ganesh idols and use of varnish and chemical paints containing mercury and cadmium are a cause for concern. Only a few traditional sculptors use earthern material for making the idols.

“The use of materials like clay symbolise the natural cycle of creation and dissolution. So why damage nature?” says sitarist Sanjay Deshpande. He suggested that the district administration create awareness on the issue much before the sculpting of idols begins.

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