SHILLONG: Raising concerns on idol immersion, the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) youth wing called upon the state government to take necessary steps and issue guidelines in consultation with the State Pollution Board on use of eco-friendly materials for idol making.
In a statement issued here on Thursday, president of KHNAM youth wing, Thomas Passah, said he had earlier written to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma to set rules and policy to ensure eco-friendly idol making and immersion in order to safeguard the state’s water bodies. “It is yet to be seen whether the government has taken any appropriate step towards the same,” he said.
The KHNAM youth wing has also written to the Central Puja Committee (CPC) to come up with an eco-friendly idol immersion process after the conclusion of Durga Puja later this month.
“There is a need to ensure that all the puja pandals in the state take the green pledge in their individual capacity. Suggestion for preparation of makeshift ponds for mass immersion has also been made to the CPC,” Passah said.
Passah recalled that the Central Pollution Control Board had highlighted the effects of floating materials released from idols in the river after decomposition which results in eutrophication and increase in acidity and heavy metal concentration, in addition to the heavy metal pollution caused by idol immersion which causes extensive damage to the ecosystem.
