Nagpur: The heavy-hearted chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya” have started to reverberate in the city of Nagpur. The ecstatic 10-day Ganesh festivity has reached the culmination days with devotees commencing immersion of Vighnaharta idols from Saturday. The main day of immersion of idols of Lord Ganesh, big and small, colourful and beautiful, is September 27, the Vinayak Chaturdashi. The Nagpur Municipal Corporation too has geared up for the mega event and has put its machinery at its place. The main worry of NMC is the heavy pollution the immersion of idols causes to water bodies. The civic body has taken a number of measures to control pollution at various places of immersion.
The NMC authorities will keep a close watch heaps of “Nirmalya” that is part and parcel of Ganesh puja. The authorities will ensure that the ‘Nirmalya’ and other stuff are not thrown in water along with immersion of Ganesh idols. At every lake and tank, artificial ‘Kalash’ or other measures are in place to collect massive quantity of ‘Nirmalya.’ Many voluntary organizations are lending a helping hand to NMC for collecting ‘Nirmalya’ and other puja material and disposing it in a proper way. Several bigwigs, apart from thousands of devotees have been urged to immerse Ganesh idols in artificial tanks being created at various immersion places. A Union Minister immersed Ganesh idol at an artificial tank in his house itself. At least 80 artificial water tanks have been created at around 24 lakes and tanks across the city. For Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols, separate tanks have been created.
The voluntary organization working in the field of environment Green Vigil since the past many years is campaigning for pollution free water bodies in the city. The campaigning has started to create desired results and people are becoming aware of pollution the idols and ‘Nirmalya’ can cause if immersed in lakes and tanks.
In its endeavour to control pollution and keep the city clean and beautiful, Nagpur Today too appeals thousands of devotees to extend their cooperation to NMC and voluntary organizations in controlling pollution at different water bodies such as Futala Lake, Gandhisagar, Naik Talao, Koradi Talao, Sonegaon Lake, Kalamna Tank, Khadan Tank, Sakkardara Lake and Sanjay Gandhi Nagar mine area and other places where immersion of Ganesh idols takes place. The devotees must respect the Nature along with faith and belief.
