Go for Green Ganesha
Go for Green Ganesha
Ganesh Chaturthi is round the corner!! Our adorable God of the masses will be installed in every community and it is customary for organizers to collect contributions for the festive occasion. If and when you contribute, please insist on GREEN GANESHA. Say NO to POP Ganesha idols. You will save water bodies in Bettadasapura, Begur, Kammasandra, Veerasandra and many more...
Usage of plaster of Paris to make Ganesh idols has polluted water bodies over the years and civic bodies have restricted the use of plaster of Paris and synthetic paints. While the clay Ganeshas dissolve easily in water, the more popular PoP idols take over two years to completely disintegrate.
Should we do this to the beloved God and our water bodies??
Go for Symbolic Immersion to avoid this devastation |
Say NO to PoP Ganesha idols
- PoP is a building material made from Gypsum which is heated upto 150 deg C.
- It is an insoluble powder and forms an impermeable layer on the bottom of pond or lake.
- Research says that the oxygen level falls drastically after Ganesh Visarjan
- Concentration of substances like calcium, magnesium, silicon and heavy metals like arsenic, lead and mercury show significant increase after Visarjan.
- Lead used in colour for making POP idol affect heart, kidney, nervous system. Use of lead ranges from 6 to 10 micrograms which should practically be ZERO.
- Lakes, rivers where the natural water springs may get blocked with POP deposition and it can also cause decrease in depth of water body.
Go for Eco friendly Ganesha
Go for idols made of unbaked natural clay, natural fibre, or recycled paper. Ensure that the dyes used to colour the idols are organic or vegetable in origin. One of the best option for Eco friendly Ganesh idols is papier mache idols made from paper pulp, natural adhesive from tree.For Puja at home, apart from the traditional Ganesha made of turmeric, cow dung or rice flour, the current fad is origami Ganesha. Many homes use stone, wood or metal Ganeshas and do a symbolic immersion. Instead of thermocol and plastic decorations, use cloth, wood, paper, and other natural materials that are safer when immersed in water.Safe and Symbolic Immersion
SAVE OUR WATER BODIES
Traditionally Ganesh idols are to be immersed in natural water bodies such as rivers, lake, ponds, sea etc. Thermocol mantaps, plastic flowers and offerings in plastic bags when immersed during Visarjan, which will clog the water flow. The waste needs to be segregated and disposed as per guidelines given by local governing authority. Trained swimmers may be employed to avoid drowning accidents.Usage of water from these polluted water bodies have caused a host of health problems such as lung infection, and diseases of skin, blood, and eyes.Growing awareness about water pollution during Visarjan has introduced the ideas of symbolic immersion and usage of eco friendly artificial ponds. Stone, metal or wooden idols are symbolically immersed in a bucket of water, or even carried in procession to a natural water body, held under the water, and then brought back home. Some homes use symbolic betel-nut to carry rituals and pooja. Later this betel-nut is immersed in water within the house.
One Society One Ganesha
RWAs can adopt this eco friendly concept to bring one Ganesh idol only within the society and celebrate in collective way. Also: Same idol could be installed every year to avoid devastation caused by Visarjan. God's blessings will always be with you for preserving the nature.Avoid Noise Pollution
Cultural events are integral part of collective celebration. However, bursting of fire crackers, loud speakers, DJ and musical instruments that produce ear-splittng decibels are to be avoided.Government Initiative
In view of the forthcoming Ganesha festival, BBMP is taking necessary precautions for minimum generation of waste. Karnataka State Pollution Control Board ( KSPCB) and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike ( BBMP) have appealed devotees to use eco friendly Ganesha idols to prevent pollution of waters bodies. Bursting of crackers and playing of loud music are prohibited near the lake. Immersion is prohibited after 10.30 pm. BBMP has identified 32 lakes and arranged for 88 mobile immersion tanks.List of Immersion Points in Bommanahalli, HSR sub-divisions, South Zone
List of tanks and the mobile immersion vehicles for Ganesha idols:
Bommanahalli sub-division
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HSR sub-division
South Zone
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