Civic sources say they will remind artisans to avoid creating PoP idols; craftsmen to raise concerns; on February 18, the BMC published guidelines regarding the granting of permissions for erecting pandals
According to BMC data, around 2.34 lakh Ganesh idols were immersed last year. Representation Pic/Nimesh Dave
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to hold a meeting with sculptors on Thursday, April 24, to remind them that from this year, only eco-friendly Ganesh idols can be created for Ganesh Chaturthi.
A civic official said, “During the meeting, we will tell sculptors about the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) order banning Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols. We have also decided to provide Shadu clay to artisans. We are just following the orders of the courts and CPCB.”
On February 18, the BMC published guidelines regarding the granting of permissions for erecting pandals. One of them states that every idol maker should follow a Bombay High Court order dated January 30, 2025, as well as a CPCB ruling from May 2020, which ban PoP idols.
Five years ago, the CPCB issued detailed guidelines banning PoP idols, which are said to seriously pollute water bodies. In August 2024, the high court ordered sculptors to abide by the CPCB guidelines and create non-PoP Ganesh idols. The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, which includes guidelines for idol immersion to reduce pollution and protect water bodies, will also be in force during the festival.
Sagar Panchal, a sculptor, said, “Normally our work starts in February. But this year, we have not begun our work as there has been no final decision regarding the material that should be used to craft our idols. We will raise our concerns with BMC officials in Thursday’s meeting.”
Shreyas Warangal, a member of the Shri Ganesh Murtikar Kamgar Sanghatana, said, “We could suggest recycling PoP idols. These can be immersed in artificial ponds.” He also claimed there was no evidence that PoP idols were harmful to marine life. According to civic data, around 2.34 lakh Ganesh idols were immersed in Mumbai last year.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
