Jharkhand Pollution Control Board issues eco-friendly guidelines for Durga Puja organisers

Ranchi: The Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) on Friday issued public notice, detailing the dos and don’ts for Durga Puja organisers, as well as the responsibilities of district authorities and urban local bodies.With the notice published a few days before the Durga Puja festival begins, followed by a series of festivals such as Kali Puja, Gajalaxmi Puja, and Saraswati Puja, many associated with the pujas feel that this is just a regular exercise and nothing more.One guideline suggests promoting idols made of natural clay instead of baked clay, plaster of Paris, resin fibres, thermocol, and similar materials. Another guideline advises using eco-friendly, water-soluble, and non-toxic materials made of natural clay, with idols stuffed with eco-friendly food materials.According to artisan Ram Pal, who is racing against time to complete all the Durga idols for delivery to organisers, "Generally, we use natural colours to paint the idols."For him, it does not matter what the notice says because he abides by the guidelines laid down by the JSPCB. However, he also mentioned that sometimes he has to violate these guidelines because some organisers insist on it. "Some people want the idol to be very shiny, and then we have to use a toxic material that gives the shine.

We call it 'Barnish'," Ram Pal said.“But there has been a lot of change, and people are aware of the guidelines,” Rajeev Lochan Bakshi, member secretary of the JSPCB, told TOI. This is not the first time such an advertisement has been issued; it appeared in newspapers a month ago, Bakshi claimed. According to him, generally, people stick to the norms, but there are always exceptions.The notices are intended to create awareness among people, and there is always repetition.

Such guidelines are issued every year, well ahead of the festival season, and they are always repeated, the JSPCB member secretary said.“There is no question of any lapse from our side,” said Alok Ranjan Srivastav, vice-president and spokesperson of the Hindu United Club in Ranchi’s Hinoo area. "From first aid to firefighting and CCTV monitoring systems, we have everything in place," he added.Another artisan, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that sometimes artisans have to do whatever the organisers say because if they get angry, one may lose his client.