Clay or PoP? Bengaluru’s Ganesha idol makers, sellers face uneasy choice
Bengaluru idol makers are struggling to balance environmental regulations with consumer demand for Plaster of Paris (PoP) Ganesha idols. Sellers note that while eco-friendly options are encouraged, the structural limitations of clay and the lack of early government awareness campaigns drive the continued use of PoP.
Why it matters
It highlights the practical challenges of implementing environmental policies in traditional manufacturing sectors.
While the State government, NGOs, and environmental activists are encouraging people to purchase eco-friendly Ganeshas for the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi festival, idol makers and sellers say that people still prefer buying coloured Ganeshas for celebrations at home and Plaster of Paris (PoP) Ganeshas for pandal celebrations.
The Hindu visited some of the places in the city, including Pottery Town, Mavalli, and Seshadripuram, where Ganesha idols have been prepared, displayed, and sold in large numbers for more than five decades.
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