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Water pollution and environmental damage caused by Ganapati idols has prompted environmentalists to suggest use of metal and clay idols instead of the present plaster-of-paris ones. World Wildlife Fund (WWF) India suggests using metal idols that can be reused. According to WWF, the paints used for colouring the idols contain heavy metals like lead, mercury and chromium.
Ganesh idols were once made of clay that caused no environmental damage. But the high cost and shortage of clay has made idol makers shift to plaster-of-paris.
There are more than 7,500 Sarvajanik Ganesh mandals in the city. Apart from these associations, lakhs of households in the city too worship Ganesh idols. At the end of the 10- day festival, lakhs of idols are immersed in the sea and other water bodies, polluting them. The hazardous thermacole used to decorate the pandals too find its way into the water.
Dr T R Saranathan of SOCLEEN says that awareness should be created about the environmental damage caused by the idols. But it is a sensitive issue because it is connected to religion. Some people have suggested the use of metal idols. But metal idols go against the ritual of visarjan (immersion). Clay idols can be a solution. Maybe smaller idols can be used, he says.
However, Sadanand Lad of the Khetwadi 12th Lane Ganesh Mandal says that clay is scarce and metal idols do not fulfill the requirement of the festival.
The concept is that the idols are pratinidhik (representative) of the god and have to be immersed after some days of pooja. Metal idols will either have to be used for years or sold as scrap, he says.
Lad says that though oil-based paints are used in painting plaster of paris idols, he is against any restriction on the size of the idols. If we think of the paints, the plaster-of-paris and the pollution, we will have to stop celebrating festivals. The huge idols are part of the festivals charm. People come to see them, he says. Dos and donts
* Smaller idols: the festival is not a competition of size.
* Fewer idols: Sarvajanik Ganeshotsavs instead of idols at every house.
* Use clay idols instead of plaster of paris ones.
* Use metal idols.
* Avoid use of thermacole for decorations. | 
