Immediately publicise ban on Plaster of Paris idols, NGT tells TNPCB
The southern bench of the National Green Tribunal has criticised the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board for failing to publicise awareness campaigns on the guidelines for using eco-friendly idols.
The bench, comprising Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana and expert member Satyagopal Korlapati, said the Board was taking a 'backseat' in enforcing environmental regulations and also urged it to clearly specify penalties for those who violate the rules by immersing Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols in waterbodies.
In its order passed January 24, 2024, the bench directed a committee to meet at least six months before Vinayagar Chaturthi each year to ensure proper planning, including the creation of artificial tanks, early notification of waterbodies, and prevention of PoP idol manufacture.
When the case came up for compliance reporting on Tuesday, the bench questioned whether any posters had been displayed outlining the do's and don'ts to prevent the manufacture of idols made from PoP and other harmful materials.
With a little over two months to go for the festival, the bench also asked if steps had been taken to restrict the entry of such idols from neighbouring States. In response, the counsel representing the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board TNPCB requested additional time to submit a report.
The bench stressed that festivals should not contribute to environmental degradation. The bench suggested that makeshift waterbodies could be created where feasible, and a fee should be imposed for idol immersion. 'Let people immerse idols in a bucket of water, their own wells (if water is available), or in temporary waterbodies,' the bench recommended.
It directed the TNPCB to submit an action-taken report by June 30, and to raise public awareness by publishing the do's and don'ts in newspapers. The Board was also instructed to announce penalties for violators.
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