Goa govt bans manufacture, sale of idols made of PoP

Panaji, Jul 28 (UNI) In view of the upcoming Ganesh Festival, Goa government today imposed a ban on manufacture and sale of idols made of plaster of Paris (POP), as the substance contained chemicals, dangerous enough to damage environment and ecology.

The authorities had further, in an order, directed different government agencies to check borders and prevent infiltration of the idols from neighbouring states.

Disclosing this to mediapersons here, state power and environment minister Alexieo Sequeira said the government had issued orders under section five of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

The idols made of POP when immersed in water, does not dissolve or disintegrate thereby causing irreversible environmental effects on the riverine/coastal ecology or the ecosystem of any waterbody, he said.

Moreover, the chemical paints, colours and dyes applied on the POP idols contain poisonous chemicals elements, which cause harmful effects on marine/aquatic life, which when consumed by humans, turn cardinogenous besides causing respiratory and skin disorders, the minister added.

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