HC asks govt if 8-foot Ganesh idols can be immersed in artificial tanks
This came after the Maharashtra government informed the HC about new guidelines for immersion of Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols issued through the Environment Department that idols exceeding five feet in height may be permitted to be immersed in natural water bodies such as lakes, sea and rivers in case no alternate immersion facility is available.
A division bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep V Marne was hearing the state's response to a PIL against immersion of PoP idols in natural water sources. Moreover, a batch of pleas are filed by associations of Ganesh idol makers challenging the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines banning the use of idols made of PoP and their immersion, alleging that the same flouted their fundamental rights.
Advocate General Birendra Saraf representing the government submitted policy guidelines for immersion of PoP idols as directed by HC last month. The guidelines stated that PoP idols intended for household celebrations or those less than five feet in height are mandatorily to be immersed only in artificial water ponds/tanks and local bodies will be responsible for implementation of such regulations.
Moreover, local bodies are asked to encourage 'Ustav Samiti / Sarvajanik Mandals' within their area to install small-sized idols. In cases where large idols are installed, the committees should be encouraged to also install a smaller replica specifically for immersion purposes, while the larger idol may be reused or reinstalled in the following year.
Last month, Justice Marne had suggested that the stakeholders can consider having the same large idol permanently on the lines of practice adopted in Pune.
AG Saraf submitted that there are nearly 1,195,306 idols in Mumbai up to 5 feet height, 3865 idols ranging between 5 to 10 feet height and 3998 idols exceeding 10 feet height. Saraf added that the number of large Ganesh idols was much lesser.
'7,000 (idols above 5 feet height) is still a huge number…their immersion in natural water bodies can cause environmental hazards and it is of environmental concern. We want you to increase the height (for immersion in artificial ponds/tanks) to 10 feet instead of 5 feet. Can it be feasible to make separate artificial tanks of over 25 feet depth for such idols of Sarvajanik Mandals above 5 feet?' the HC questioned the state and BMC.
AG Saraf responded that it would be difficult to immerse such large idols in artificial ponds as a single idol will occupy the entire tank during immersion, and dissolution will take time.
Saraf further said that PoP idols are not made of soluble material, therefore they will not dissolve immediately in natural water bodies. 'Therefore, the next morning the seabed will be cleaned and immersed material will be collected and removed.
The judges then sought to know from the state government and BMC whether it was possible to create artificial water tanks for immersion of PoP idols of at least 7 or 8 feet height and posted further hearing to July 24 (Thursday).
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