Source: www.hindu.com
CHENNAI, INDIA, August 6, 2009: The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board has requested the public to use only Ganesha statues made of raw clay during Vinayaka Chathurthi festival on August 23. The recent trend of immersing Ganeshas made with plaster-of-Paris, chemicals and paints has resulted in pollution of the water bodies.
While the Board’s powers only apply to industries, it has asked the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department to educate the public on this issue. It has also asked the Police Department to identify and prevent the sale of Deities made with polluting materials.