Palakkad bans PoP, plastic idols for Ganeshotsav under green protocol
Palakkad will enforce a green protocol for Ganeshotsav, banning plaster of Paris, plastic, thermocol and toxic-paint idols, the District Collector has said.
Ganeshotsav celebrations in Palakkad will be held under a green protocol this year, with the district administration restricting the use of non-biodegradable and chemically treated materials for idols and decorations.
Chairing a review meeting ahead of the festival, District Collector K. Sudheer said idols must be fashioned only from clay, mud, paper pulp and natural paints. The manufacture, sale and use of idols made from plaster of Paris, plastic, thermocol and toxic chemical paints have been prohibited.
Organisers have been instructed to source idols exclusively from manufacturers holding licences issued by local self-government bodies. The direction is intended to keep unauthorised and environmentally harmful products out of the market during the festive period.
Festival committees will also have to inform the authorities in advance about the waterbodies they intend to use for idol immersion and the timings they have planned. They must ensure that the waterbodies and their surroundings are cleaned once the immersion is over.
The meeting was attended by Additional District Magistrate A. Abdul Latheef, Subcollector Anjith Singh and other officials.