The Dharwad Regional Office of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has appealed to people in Dharwad district to celebrate the Gowri Ganesha festival in an environmentally friendly manner. The appeal comes ahead of the Swarna Gauri and Varasiddhi Vinayaka Chaturthi festivals.

The board said the practice of installing idols made of Plaster of Paris (PoP) and coated with chemical colours, and subsequently immersing them in lakes, wells and other natural water bodies, pollutes water sources and alters their physical and chemical properties. Such pollution can adversely affect the environment and pose a threat to animals, birds, and aquatic life, as well as public health.

The board said it had issued a notification on July 20, 2016, prohibiting the immersion of PoP and painted idols in lakes and other water bodies across the State, and urged people to cooperate in protecting natural water resources.

It also appealed to idol makers and sellers not to manufacture or sell PoP and painted idols. The prohibition is enforced under Section 33(A) of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. Violations will invite legal action, the board said.

The board further urged devotees to separate wet waste such as flowers, fruits, banana stems and mango festoons used for decoration during idol immersion. Such waste should not be immersed along with the idols, but handed over separately to the waste collection vehicles of the municipal corporation or municipality.

For public Ganesh celebrations, organisers have been asked to use only eco-friendly materials for pandals and avoid banned plastic items. They have also been advised to obtain permission from the police department before using loudspeakers, electronic equipment and other noise-generating devices at public Ganesh pandals, in accordance with the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, and the government circular issued on May 10, 2022.

The board also noted that the manufacture or sale of banned PoP Ganesh idols would attract legal action and urged all stakeholders to ensure an environmentally responsible celebration.

Published - August 13, 2026 06:49 pm IST