New Delhi: ‘We all have celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi this year with lot of enthusiasm, keeping the spirits high, today we all should come together and say goodbye to our favourite idol. But, keep in mind that one should not pose any harm to the planet we live in,’ says Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis as he immersed Lord Ganesh in an artificial pond at his residence thereby setting an example for Mumbaikars and citizens of the country to celebrate festivals in an eco-friendly way.
Also Read: Ganpati Goes Green: Celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi The Eco-Friendly Way
#GanapatiVisarjan in an artificial tank with family.
Did my bit for environmental friendly Visarjan ! #GanpatiBappaMorya pic.twitter.com/Z1O60ApJ7i— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) September 5, 2017
The Chief Minister also appealed to all the citizens to do Ganesh Visarjan in artificial ponds set up by the local authorities. In places where immersion in artificial ponds is not possible, he requested people to do the immersion keeping in mind the effects on the environment. He further added,
Apart from Ganpati visarjan, we have created facilities throughout Mumbai to effectively manage the nirmalya (immersion wastes like flowers, leaves, decorations, etc.). My appeal to the citizens, do not dump that waste carelessly, collect it all together and give it to the areas where it can be managed in an efficient manner.
Also Read: Ganesh Chaturthi Special: How Idol Immersion Adversely Impacts The Environment
CM @Dev_Fadnavis appeals citizens for environment friendly #GaneshVisarjan #GanpatiBappaMorya pic.twitter.com/lcRZyT7veX
— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) September 5, 2017
Message of the Chief Minister of Maharashtra comes at a time when India is battling with serious water pollution issues. Generally, Ganpati idols are made up of non-biodegradable materials like Plaster of Paris (POP), plastic and cement, which choke the fragile ecosystem of water bodies on immersion of the idols and these pollutants remain in water for years.
Watch: How Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Celebrated Ganpati Visarjan
गणपती बाप्पा मोरयाऽऽऽ
पुढच्यावर्षी लवकर या…#GanpatiBappaMorya pic.twitter.com/Kvxa2oGysZ— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) September 5, 2017
Last year in Mumbai around three lakh Ganpati idols were immersed in water bodies. That is a lot of debris that cannot be decomposed naturally. The need of the hour is to marry the age-old traditions like immersion with environment-friendly practices to truly make the festivities sustainable.
