Vaman Acharya, Chairman, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), has said for Ganesh festival this year, people could use and immerse small idols while malls, colleges and banks could reuse big Ganesh idols the following year.
The KSPCB is encouraging people to use small clay idols without colours or with natural colours instead of those with Plaster of Paris, toxic paints, lead and nickel containing paints.
The KSPCB will contact non-governmental organisations and manufacturers so that 8,000 to 10,000 eco-friendly Ganesh idols can be made available area-wise across the State. A State-wide list would also be made of all places where eco-friendly Ganesh idols were available.
S. Narayan, quality control manager, Mysore Paints & Varnish Ltd., said using paints containing lead and nickel must be avoided as they are toxic above prescribed limits.
Anantha Murthy M.G., technical supervisor, Regional Design and Technical Development Centre, said it has five master craftsmen who teach people how to make clay Ganesh idols. For details contact 23194969 or 9449243285.
(The Hindu)
