Sikkim plans a pollution-free Durga Puja

GANGTOK, 1 SEPT.: With the Pujas round the corner, the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) is all set to issue instructions pertaining to Puja celebrations, idol immersion and disposal of other wastes. According to Dr Gopal Pradhan, chief scientist, SPCB, an official notification would soon be issued in this regard. The move is seen as the SPCB’s attempt to reduce the immersion of idols and disposal of waste in the state's rivers during the coming Puja season and thereby minimize pollution.
The SPCB has also advised the organisers to lessen the use of earthen idols and instead use photo frames of deities, as frames could be reused and hence idol immersion in the rivers could be avoided. It is also informed that if idol worship is inevitable, then small idols without much harmful dyes and paints could be used instead. The organisers have also been advised to use eco-friendly leaf plates to serve prasads. To check sound pollution, strict guidelines would also be issued to regularise the volume of sound systems used during the Pujas.
Dr Pradhan further appealed to all concerned to co-operate in the SPCB's pollution control drive to make this Puja season pollution free. The board would soon come up with a cache of publicity activities to create more awareness about the ill-effects of pollution. The instructions would be effective starting 17 September, the day Biswakarma Puja will be celebrated. Ranipool, Rangpo, Teesta and Rangit rivers witness the highest number of idol immersion in the state particularly during the Puja season.