Bhopal:Monday, September 1, 2008:The Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board has issued instructions to its zonal offices to undertake precautionary methods as well as make people aware about the adverse effects of immersing idols in water sources. These instructions have been issued in view of large scale immersions to be undertaken on the impending conclusion of ten-day Ganesh Utsav. The board has appealed to the people to help maintain purity of water sources in the city.
The board has instructed its zonal offices to test quality of water a day before the immersions, during the process and one week after the immersions. Tests will focus on finding out various chemical elements. The board has also asked the zonal offices to determine a sampling point.
It may be mentioned that the unnatural colours used in painting and decorating idols contain some poisonous substances. Besides, water quality is also affected by flowers, clothes, coloured paper, plastic and other decorative items immersed with idols. The board has appealed to the people not to immerse idols in drinking water sources. It has also appealed to urban bodies to identify rivers and ponds for immersions so that other water sources can be saved from pollution.
The board has also suggested formation of a committee to apprise people of the ill effects of immersing clothes, puja material and plastic goods with idols. The committee will comprise policemen, non-government organisations and members of religious bodies.
Instructions have been issued to develop artificial and temporary ponds for the purpose of immersions and after immersions the water of these ponds should be released only after undertaking test of level water. The flowers, clothes, coloured paper and plastic goods should be fished out from water within 24 hours of immersions so that that their ill effects on water qualities could be minimized. Instructions have also been issued to prevent burning of sold waste near the water sources.