Only bio-degradable idols to be immersed in Yamuna: NGT

With the festive season soon approaching, the National Green Tribunal today passed a slew of directions to prevent pollution of the Yamuna river including a ban on immersion of idols except those made from bio-degradable material.
"Idol immersion should be allowed only of the ones which are made from bio-degradable material and not plastic/plaster of Paris. Only those colours should be used on the idols which are environment-friendly," a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said.
Favouring designated sites for immersion of idols, the tribunal directed the Irrigation Department of the Delhi government and Uttar Pradesh to hold a meeting with the Vice Chairman of Delhi Development Authority to "immediately identify" such sites during the festive season.

"The above committee would also report as to whether the nine ghats to be provided and maintained by the respective corporations have been constructed and are being maintained regularly.
"Whether such ghats currently have mechanism in place for ensuring that material does not flow into the river but is collected and recycled. It may be by use of mesh or by providing separate channel of water, as already directed by the tribunal," the bench said.
The tribunal directed the authorities concerned to notify and publicise about immersion of idols on ghats to enable the people know about the identified sites for immersion.

It has also ordered all the public authorities including the Delhi government to provide mobile toilets or bio-toilets near the ghats.

The green panel also directed that "no commercial or construction activity by use of machines or otherwise, except floriculture and silviculture (regeneration of forests) would be allowed to be carried on by any of the authorities, particularly Delhi Development Authority".
The bench has asked DDA to ensure maintenance of nearly 63.56 hectare of "river banks/flood plains" which have been developed as biodiversity parks.
On industrial units causing pollution and discharging effluents in Yamuna, it asked Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee to take appropriate steps against such industries and report to the tribunal.