Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will be creating an artificial pond near the Dahisar river at Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) to reduce the pollution caused by the immersion of plaster of paris (POP) Ganesha idols in the river.
A 15x10 metres artificial pool with a depth of eight feet will be created for devotees to immerse the idols adjacent to the river. River March, a citizens group, which is assisting the BMC in this initiative, has also come up with an initiative of ‘recycling idols.’
“Every year, hundreds of revellers visit the spot during Ganpati visarjan with idols from homes and mandals. So we will be assisting the BMC to encourage people to immerse the idols in artificial ponds rather than the Dahisar river, which houses more than 60 species of birds,” said Gopal Jhaveri, from River March.
The civic body held a meeting with SGNP officials on Tuesday regarding the artificial pool.
“The forest department has agreed to it. It is important to address the issue of pollution due to the POP idols in Dahisar river as around 3,000 idols have been found to be immersed in the river,” said Ramakant Biradar, assistant municipal commissioner, R central ward.
River March stated that this year, Ganpati festival should be celebrated in an eco-friendly way, which is why ‘recycling of idols’ has been proposed.
“Instead of immersing the idol, one can leave them at SGN. They will be handed over to artistes to recycle and bring them back into the market next year. There will be tents by BMC inside SGNP to collect the idols,” said Vikram Chogle, from River March.
