Bengaluru: Ahead of the Ganesh festival, the Karnataka Forest Department has intensified its crackdown on environmentally harmful Plaster of Paris (PoP) Ganesh idols, with special teams seizing 872 idols during inspections across nine districts.
Forest, Biology and Environment Minister Ramalinga Reddy said special task force teams have been deployed in Bengaluru, Ramanagara, Mysuru, Mangaluru, Belagavi, Davanagere, Dharwad, Kalaburagi and Vijayanagara to identify, prevent the sale of and seize PoP idols.
153 shops, godowns inspected; 872 idols seized
Between August 18 and September 2, the special teams inspected 153 shops and godowns across the identified districts. During the inspections, 872 PoP Ganesh idols were seized.
The teams also checked whether PoP idols were being manufactured and sold in violation of government guidelines, the minister said.
Karnataka has banned the manufacture, transportation, sale and disposal of PoP Ganesh idols, Ramalinga Reddy said.
Minister urges public to choose clay idols
With the festival approaching, Ramalinga Reddy appealed to people to opt for eco-friendly clay Ganesh idols instead of PoP idols.
The minister said biodegradable clay idols can help reduce water pollution and waste, while also protecting aquatic life. He urged citizens to celebrate the festival in an environmentally responsible manner.
“Use clay Ganesh idols and join hands in protecting the environment and aquatic life,” Ramalinga Reddy appealed.
The special enforcement drive is aimed at ensuring compliance with the government’s ban and preventing the sale of PoP idols ahead of the Ganesh festival.