'Govt's failure to enforce PoP idol ban harmful for nature'

Despite strict guidelines to ensure that the Ganeshotsav celebrations adhere to green norms, this year's festivities were marred by violations of environmental regulations, asserted activists.

- Rucha Kanolkar

Although the Centre banned Plaster of Paris (POP) idols in 2020, the failure of state agencies to enforce these rules cast a shadow on the government's commitment to sustainability and public safety, they added.

Activist Rohit Joshi, who has also filed a public interest litigation seeking strict enforcement of ban on the PoP idols, has now written to the government, Mumbai and Thane police, and state pollution control board. In his letter, he said, "The state government's failure is a blatant contempt of court orders and an alarming disregard for environmental protection. In cities like Thane and Mumbai, administrations have Activists lament been complicit in these violations."