Shri Ganesh idols made of paper pulp cause pollution : Verdict passed by NGT

Case for contempt will be filed if ban is not imposed on making Shri Ganesh idols from paper pulp ! – Warns HJS

Mumbai : Idols made of paper pulp are sold claiming to be eco-friendly; which are, in fact, harmful for environment. This has been accepted by National Green Tribunal and it brought stay on Government’s decision of encouraging sale of idols made of paper pulp. Shri Ganesh idols made of 10 kgs of paper pulp pollute 1000 litres of water and the Government is encouraging Shri Ganesh idols made of paper pulp without undertaking any research. This too has been accepted by the National Green Tribunal; therefore, promoting sale of such Shri Ganesh idols claiming to be eco-friendly, is a kind of deception of people. If the Government doesn’t impose ban on paper pulp idols immediately, a case will be filed for contempt of the order passed by National Green Tribunal. The above warning was given by Dr. Uday Dhuri, the spokesperson of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) during press conference held at Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh which was also attended by Shri. Abhay Vartak, national spokesperson of Sanatan Sanstha; advocate Virendra Ichalkaranjikar, President of Hindu Vidhidnya Parishad and Shri. Shivaji Vatkar of HJS, who has filed a petition with National Green Tribunal.

Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) undertook study under guidance of different research organizations and ecologists. Justice U. D. Salvi and a member, Shri. Ajay Deshpande, an expert on the subject while passing verdict on the petition on 30th September 2016, have brought stay on Government’s decision of making Shri Ganesh idols from paper pulp.

Shri Ganesh idol made of clay arrests water pollution and is as per spiritual science ! – Shivaji Vatkar

The Government should encourage sculptors for making idols from clay and painted with natural colours. The terrible practice of immersion of idols in artificial water tanks, or using ammonium nitrate or donation of idols should be stopped. Instead, the funds may be given to sculptors as grant; making an appeal for installing Shri Ganesh idols made of clay and painted in natural colours since it would not cause any pollution. Installing such idols will be even as per spiritual science and there will be abidance of Dharma.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi also recently made an appeal in his program ‘Mann ki baat’ for using idols made of clay. Shri. Shivaji Vatkar then said, “Will the State Government and administration of municipal corporations at least respond to that appeal?”

‘Hindutvavadi’ organizations would stage agitations if anti-Dharma drives were not stopped ! – Abhay Vartak

Government Administrations remember water pollution only at the time of Ganesh festival. If they really want to prevent water pollution, municipalities and municipal corporations all over the State should start processing more than 250 billion litres of sewage water released in rivers and lakes which is at present released in water without any treatment. Instead of doing that, hue and cry is made unnecessarily about Ganesh idols causing pollution and idols immersed in artificial water tanks are used for filling up stone-quarries, dilapidated wells and ditches etc. These idols are carried in municipalities’ garbage vans. It is grave desecration of Shri Ganesh. It is all so infuriating and the Government should stop playing with religious sentiments of Hindus. ‘Hindutvavadi’ organizations will stage agitations if such anti-Dharma drives were not stopped, was the warning given by Shri. Abhay Vartak.

Maharashtra Pollution Control Board and organizations of progressive factions have decided, without conducting any research, that idols made of paper pulp were eco-friendly ! – Advocate Virendra Ichalkaranjikar    

Few organizations of progressive factions are making false propaganda that immersion of Shri Ganesh idols cause pollution though they are not bothered about the severe pollution caused throughout the year due to sewage water. As a result, the Government issued an order on 3rd May 2011 in this regard. Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) also, without carrying out any study of the issue, started making blind appeals for use of eco-friendly idols made of paper pulp. HJS actually brought few such idols and got research done through few renowned research organizations, on effect of immersion of Shri Ganesh idols made of paper pulp. It was realised from the reports that only Shri Ganesh idols made of paper pulp cause pollution and the progressive organizations and  MPCB were misleading people by giving wrong information. HJS, therefore, filed a petition with National Green Tribunal. It has been proved even through the verdict passed by this Tribunal that idols made of paper pulp caused pollution and harm to environment. The Government should therefore, follow the orders passed by National Green Tribunal and create awareness amongst people about paper pulp idols causing harm; its sale and promotion, anyway, was illegal. This appeal was made by advocate Virendra Ichalkaranjikar.

Inference of research conducted on paper pulp

Environmental Protcetion Research Foundation of a senior environmentalist Dr. Subbarao from Sangli and Institute of Chemical Technology, Matunga, Mumbai have made following obsrevation during their research.

1. In water with paper pulp, many poisonous metals like Zinc, Chromium, Cadmium, Titanium Oxide were present.

2. In research conductd by Dr. Subbarao, it was found that the per centage of Oxygen came down to zero level in water with dissolved paper pulp, which was most harmful.

3. When paper pulp is dissolved in water, it turns into tiny particles which can cause adverse effect on respiratory system of fishes.

4. There is no guarantee for ink used for printing on paper that it would be eco-friendly.

Highlights

1. Many reporters tried to know about HJS stand on ill effects of Ganesh idols made of paper pulp and restrictions imposed by the Government at the time of Ganeshotsav and other festivals of Hindus.

2. Representatives of few news channels like Zee 24 Taas, News-9, Janadesh interviewed the speakers.