Karnataka minister calls for strict action against PoP idols ahead of Ganesh Chathurthi: Report

Karnataka's Minister Eshwar Khandre orders strict enforcement against Plaster of Paris idols ahead of Gowri and Ganesha festivals.

Published on: Jul 25, 2025, 09:13:17 IST

By HT News Desk, Bengaluru

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

As the Gowri and Ganesha festivals approach on August 26 and 27, Karnataka’s Forest, Ecology, and Environment Minister, Eshwar Khandre, has ordered stringent enforcement against the production and sale of idols made from Plaster of Paris (PoP), news agency PTI reported.

Authorities in Bengaluru have been urged to promote eco-friendly clay idols to protect the environment and water systems ahead of the Gowri-Ganesha festival next month. (Yogendra Kumar )

ALSO READ | ‘Dancing Bamboo’: Here's what you'll smell every time you take off from Bengaluru airport

Push for eco-friendly celebrations

Emphasizing environmental safety, Khandre has told local authorities to come down hard on the production of PoP idols and instead champion the distribution and use of unpainted clay figures. These eco-friendly clay idols, he stressed, should replace their chemically painted counterparts to reduce harm to the environment and water systems, according to the report.

The dangers of plaster of paris idols

PoP idols are typically composed of a mixture that includes calcium, sulfate, hemihydrate, and elements such as sulfur, phosphorus, gypsum, and magnesium.

According to Khandre, the use of synthetic paints — loaded with toxic substances like mercury, cadmium, lead and carbon — on these idols makes them particularly hazardous. Once immersed in lakes and rivers, these chemicals leach into the water, threatening the wellbeing of both communities and animals and resulting in aquatic deaths, the report stated.

ALSO READ | Bengaluru's Rameshwaram Cafe calls ‘worm in pongal’ claim a setup, says it got ₹25 lakh extortion call

Minister Khandre has tasked the environment department with boosting public awareness about these risks. He recalled that the government had issued a circular earlier banning the manufacture, storage, and sale of PoP Ganesha idols, with a follow-up government order strengthening this ban in 2023. Local agencies are now required to rigorously enforce these prohibitions.

ALSO READ | Bengaluru food delivery executive held for secretly filming women on MG Road, posting online with music

With around a month left before the festivities, instructions have been given for prompt inspections to prevent the storage and transport of prohibited idols. Khandre has also encouraged officials to work directly with residential groups — such as welfare associations in apartment complexes and local communities — to promote the adoption of environmentally-friendly Ganesha idols and ensure a green celebration this year.

(With inputs from PTI)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest City News, local updates, weather alerts and breaking stories from Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and other major cities across India on Hindustan Times.