The NMC has become the first Municipal Corporation in the country to bar immersion of POP idols by formally making rules and regulations in this connection.
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Nagpur News:
The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), in an excellent move in the direction of protecting environment, has totally barred immersion of Lord Ganesh idols made of Plaster of Paris (POP) in any river or lake. The NMC has become the first Municipal Corporation in the country to bar immersion of POP idols by formally making rules and regulations in this connection.
The NMC decision comes after the NGOs, active in protection of the environment, had demanded the NMC to initiate firm actions against the immersion of POP idols in rivers and lakes to save the natural resources from poisoning by the idols. The demand by the NGOs bore fruits after two years. Approximately two lakh POP idols are sold in Nagpur. The POP idol vendors had vociferously protested the the NMC move to bar immersion of the POP idols two years ago, and had even challenged the NMC decision in the court of law. The POP idol vendors put up an argument that the NMC move is aimed at hitting their livelihood hard.
The Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court, while ruling in favour of POP idolo vendors as their rights, firmly ordered the NMC to come with rules and regulations in this connection. The NMC, following the High Court order, made rules and regulations and subsequently barred the immersion of POP idols in rivers and lakes. But before making the rules and regulations, the NMC had invited suggestions and objections from citizens in this regard. The NMC had ordered the POP idol vendors to mark the idols with colour red behind the idols and put up boards informing citizens that the POP idols have been barred from immersion.
The Mayor has appreciated the initiative of the Administration in this direction and hoped that the move would certainly help in protecting the rivers and lakes from toxic pollution. The Mayor had strived hard to turn the “Nag Nala” into clean Nag River which received accolades and resulted in an award from Delhi-based Skoch Development Foundation. Now, Central Government has also assured funds for maintaining and cleaning of Nag Nadi.
Similarly, the NMC Commissioner Shyam Wardhane is excited by overwhelming support from the citizens. He himself is keeping a sharp eye on immersions. He said, at least 125 artificial plastic tanks have been prepared for the immersion of idols. The citizens would take advantage of this preparation as the plastic tanks have been put up at every major square.
The Deputy Director of Health Department Dr Milind Ganvir said that the Corporators and NGOs have been extending a helping hand to NMC in its initiative. The NMC decision in the direction of protecting environment is being appreciated, Dr Ganvir said.
