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MYSORE, INDIA, July 12, 2012 (Times of India): The Mysore City Corporation, on a mission to save water bodies from getting polluted, Wednesday intensified its eco-friendly drive and seized non-biodegradable Ganesha and Gowri statues. The empowered panel accompanied by senior officials, including environmental engineers, raided two places–one next to Kalamandir and other near Vishwa Manav Double road in Kuvempu Nagar. They seized 20 unbiodegradable statues. The corporation has set a two-day deadline for the artisans to remove the statues that are made of chemicals, including gypsum plaster, commonly called as plaster of paris. “The civic body on July 2 issued a directive asking the statue makers to make only eco-friendly statues ahead of the festival season. When they didn’t relent, we intervened,” public health, education and social justice standing committee chief Kempanna said. “We have seized 20 out of 1,000 statues. They have been asked to remove them from the city in two days,” he added.