Paper mache Ganesh idols not harmful: MPCB officials

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has dismissed the claim of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) that paper maché Ganesh idols, which are being promoted as eco-friendly, are a threat to the environment.  

A senior officer told The Asian Age the state pollution control board said that eco-friendly idols made of paper maché are not harmful, but the board will have to check with the researchers whether allegations made by HJS are correct.

The HJS claimed that it had filed a petition in the National Green Tribunal (NGT) after conducting the study under the guidance of various research institutes and based on various reports. The HJS has filed the petition, seeking a ban on paper maché Ganesh idols, which are being sold as eco-friendly idols.

Virendra Ichalkar-anjikar said, “The tribunal noted that Ganesh idols prepared from 10 kg of paper pulp pollute 1,000 litres of water. The government is encouraging Ganesh idols which are made of paper pulp without conducting any research. Therefore, to say that idols which pollute the water are helping the environment is a deceit.” He said, “MPCB and progressive institutes are claiming that idols made from paper pulp are eco-friendly without conducting any research.”

A government resolution was issued, which stated that MPCB appealed to the people to purchase eco-friendly Ganesh Idols, made from paper pulp.