On Friday, the Udupi District Working Journalists Association, together with the Udupi Press Building Committee, unveiled the August edition of Sanmati newspaper at the Udupi Press Building. Dr. Maheshwari Singh, environmental officer of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board’s Udupi regional office, addressed the gathering.
She reiterated that both the Karnataka High Court and the Central Pollution Control Board have ordered a complete prohibition on the manufacture, sale and disposal of Plaster of Paris (POP) Ganpati idols across the state. According to Singh, these metal‑mixed idols coated with chemical paints pose a severe threat to aquatic life when dumped in water bodies and may increase the risk of cancer‑like diseases in humans.
The board will not issue any licence for installing POP idols. Enforcement responsibility rests with municipal and rural local bodies, police departments and other relevant agencies. Singh urged artisans to revert to clay for idol making and to strip flowers and decorative items before discarding the figures.
She also reminded attendees of a Supreme Court directive that bans the use of microphones between 10 pm and 9 am, and highlighted the statewide ban on single‑use plastic, warning of legal action for violations. Public Ganesh festival committees were asked to act responsibly, with the board pledging regular monitoring of water sources.
Disposal recommendations include using buckets, pots or tanks instead of releasing idols into flowing streams. Some local authorities have introduced mobile tank units for safe collection. Eco‑friendly alternatives such as idols made from ash, paper, leaves or various flours were presented as viable options.
Subrahmanya Bhat, president of the journalists’ association, presided over the event. Present were Deputy Superintendent of Police Sudarshan Doddamani, Assistant Environmental Officer Dr. Amrita, Assistant Director of Udupi News Department Manjunath, and Press Building Committee secretary Ankith Shetty. Association secretary Nazeer Polya welcomed the participants, while Yashodha Keshav hosted the programme.
The board reported that 409 public Ganpati installations have received permission in Udupi district this year. For security, approximately 804 police personnel and 163 home guards have been deployed across Kundapura, Karkala and Udupi subdivisions. Any use of DJs or sound systems without police clearance, especially during night‑time processions, will attract strict action. Residents are advised to dial 112 for any disturbances.
Image for illustration purposes only
📰 Source: Kundapra