Devotees urged not to immerse idols in Ganga

Varanasi, Oct. 3 (ANI): Concerned with the increased levels of pollution in Ganga river after the recent immersion festival, a voluntary organization in Varanasi has asked people not to immerse idols in it, which have chemicals or artificial colours.

But save Ganga campaigners say that despite warning several idols with chemical colours were immersed in the National River.

"Almost infinite numbers of idols have been immersed. I saw that at some places the water at corners of the bank were colourful because of the chemical pollutants. The situation is really grave," said Ram Vilas.

Thousands of Durga idols were immersed in Ganga on the tenth day of Navratri.

National Secretary of Ganga Mahasabha Acharya Jitendra said that pollution level of the River could be controlled without hurting the sentiments of devotees.

"We will immerse the idol, but we will put a net beforehand in the river. Idol will immerse and settle on net in Ganges and our belief is fulfilled. Mud of the idols can be used for leveling the land before construction of the residential colonies is to be done," said Jitendra.

Non-government agencies and environmentalists have been raising their voice against the immersion of idols, which contain plaster-of-Paris, synthetic colours and non-biodegradable material for a long time.

Though Ganga Action Plan was set up by the Government in 1985 to clean the river, much of the so-called-action remains on paper. (ANI)