Bengaluru, 6 Aug 

Karnataka Minister Eshwar Khandre on Wednesday directed officials to ensure only eco-friendly, unpainted clay Ganesh idols are permitted for public installation.

The direction comes ahead of the Ganesh festival on 14 September.

In a written communication to the department secretary, Khandre instructed that banned Plaster of Paris idols coated with chemical paints should not be permitted and to permit only the installation and immersion of eco-friendly clay Gauri and Ganesh idols as part of efforts to conserve natural water resources.

He added that the paints applied to these idols contain hazardous metals, making them harmful.

Referring to Section 33A of the Water Act, 1974, which isPrevention and Control of Pollution, Khandre said the immersion of PoP idols in water bodies has been prohibited.

The minister noted that a government order issued in 2023 banned the manufacture, transportation, sale and immersion of PoP idols.

He instructed all gram panchayats to take the necessary steps to protect water bodies and the environment by ensuring effective implementation of the ban.