Karnataka Directs Gram Panchayats to Permit Only Eco-Friendly Clay Ganesh Idols

Karnataka Minister Eshwar Khandre on Wednesday directed officials to ensure that only eco-friendly, unpainted clay Ganesh idols are permitted for public installation and immersion within gram panchayat limits. 

The direction comes ahead of the Ganesh festival on September 14. In a written communication to the department secretary, Khandre instructed that immersion of banned Plaster of Paris idols coated with chemical paints should not be permitted.

He called for encouraging people to worship clay idols to



protect water bodies and the environment. The state Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister directed gram panchayats to permit only the installation and immersion of eco-friendly clay Gauri and Ganesh idols as part of efforts to conserve natural water resources, according to a statement issued by his office. 

Khandre directed officials to curb the manufacture, stocking, transportation and sale of PoP Ganesh idols well ahead of the festival to prevent any adverse impact on the religious sentiments of people during the celebrations.