With the Ganpati festival a few weeks away, NGO Vanashakti has written to the state environment department and other agencies, requesting them not to allow the immersion of idols in the water bodies in Aarey Milk Colony, as it falls in the Eco-Sensitive Zone of SGNP. To cater to rituals, the NGO has requested the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to create or provide artificial tanks on the outskirts of Aarey and allow people to use them.

The letter has been written by the Director of Vanashakti, Stalin D, to the principal secretary. environment department; Maharashtra Pollution Control Board; collector, Mumbai Suburban; Mumbai police commissioner, Aarey CEO office and  the civic chief.