The National Green Tribunal (NGT) issued a directive to the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) on Wednesday, September 27.
The directive mandates the authority to follow the Solid Waste Management Rules (2016), in line with the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) revised guidelines for 2020, for immersing idols. The NGT has also asked TMC to provide a comprehensive report on it within 14 days of the final immersion.
This order was issued in response to information gathered by environmental activist Rohit Joshi through an RTI (Right to Information). The RTI revealed that TMC planned to process and dispose of waste collected in man-made ponds in Thane Creek.
Thane Creek, designated as a "Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary," is under threat due to the immersion of Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols. The Forest Department's 'Revised Approved Management Plan' for Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary in 2020 highlighted the potential harm to aquatic life.
According to a report by the Hindustan Times, Joshi expressed concern over the disposal of waste from artificial tanks directly into creeks. He questioned the expenditure on these artificial ponds, suggesting that funds could be better utilised to promote eco-friendly clay idols.
The popularity of PoP idols has led to an increase in artificial water bodies since 2015. Despite containing harmful chemicals including phosphorus, gypsum, magnesium, and sulphur, PoP is still used in idol construction, contrary to CPCB's updated standards. The colours used to paint the idols can also contain arsenic, mercury, lead, cadmium, and carbon. CPCB's standards strictly forbid its usage in the construction of these idols.
The NGT order also asks authorities to separate biodegradable materials from non-biodegradable elements within a day after idol immersion. Activists advocate for not only banning PoP idols but also providing subsidies for those who create eco-friendly idols.
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