Vinayaka Chathurthi: farmers in Coimbatore, Tiruppur raise concern over idol immersion in water bodies
Farmers in Coimbatore and Tiruppur are expressing concern over the rising number of Ganesh idols being immersed in local water bodies. While they support current pollution control guidelines, they argue that the sheer volume of idols poses a threat to water quality and agricultural resources.
Why it matters
This highlights the tension between religious observance and the preservation of critical water resources for agriculture.
While the restrictions imposed by the authorities on immersion of idols in water bodies as part of Vinayaka Chathurthi festival have been welcomed by the farmers, the continuous increase in the number of idols is a cause for concern, according to farmers.
The main emphasis in the (Central Pollution Control Board) guidelines issued by Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board through district administrations is on preventing use of idols made of plaster of paris; avoiding harmful chemicals, single-use plastic, thermocol and synthetic dyes for decoration of idols; avoiding use of toxic and non bio-degradable chemical dyes/ oil paints for painting idols; avoiding use of disposable materials containing paints and other toxic chemicals; avoiding immersion of idols in undesignated water bodies; and avoiding use of filament bulbs for decorative lighting.
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