Durga idols to be immersed in artificial ponds on Ganga banks

KANPUR : The new tradition of immersion of idols in artificial ponds created on the banks of the holy river Ganga will be followed in Durga Puja also.
The administration had ordered preparation of ponds on the bank of the Ganga and Ganga canal for the immersion of idols of Lord Ganesh during Ganesh Utsav. The ponds were made at Gola Ghat, Kali Ghat, Koyla Ghat and Massacre Ghat and will continue to exist for immersion of Durga idol.The initiative was taken by the administration as a strong step against the immersion of POP idols in the river.
Experts suggest that idols made of POP and chemical paints are harmful for the environment. “POP degrades slowly in water as compared to clay that was earlier used for making idols. Tons of lead-based toxic paints and other chemicals used in idols pollute the waterbody and cause threat to aquatic life. POP is made up of acidic chemicals like gypsum, sulphur, phosphorus and magnesium and is insoluble in water. The idols take several months to dissolve in water, thus turning the water of lake, ponds and rivers toxic,” Girish Arya, assistant engineer in Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB), said.
With soaring demand for Durga idols artisans prefer Plaster of Paris (POP) instead of clay. According to Prof Pramod Tripathi, Oil and Paint Technology department in HBTI, chemicals used in these idols are toxic in nature and hazardous for human health. “Colours like yellow, green and orange are most harmful as they contain toxicants like Chromium and Lead. Although the use of these elements is banned, artisans still use them because they are cheaper than their substitutes. The presence of such metals make chemical paints non-biodegradable,” he said.
“The oil based colours are organic in nature, but their binding agents like oil, raisins and polymers contribute in decreasing dissolved oxygen (DO) level in the water. Thus causing threat to aquatic life,” Tripathi further added.