Hyderabad: Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Friday urged people to use eco-friendly Ganesha idols while celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi to help protect water bodies from pollution.
The Governor appealed to people to celebrate the festival with devotion while giving equal importance to environmental protection. He specifically encouraged devotees to choose clay idols instead of materials that could pollute water.
Shukla also extended Ganesh Chaturthi greetings to the people of Telangana and across the country. Moreover, he stressed the need for environmentally responsible celebrations throughout the festival.
As part of an awareness initiative, Shukla and his wife, Janaki Shukla, distributed eco-friendly clay Ganesha idols on Friday. They handed over the idols to Lok Bhavan officials, employees and members of the media at the Lok Bhavan premises.
Eco-friendly Ganesha idols can reduce water pollution
The Governor said idol installation and puja ceremonies would begin on September 14. Therefore, he urged devotees to remain mindful of environmental protection throughout the celebrations.
Shukla said clay idols could minimise pollution in water bodies during immersion after the festival. Since clay was a natural and eco-friendly material, idols made from it dissolved naturally in water.
Consequently, he said their use could reduce the adverse impact of idol immersion on water bodies. He also appealed to people to avoid idols made from plaster of Paris and chemical-based colours.
According to the Governor, such materials could contribute to water pollution during immersion. He therefore encouraged people to adopt environmentally safer practices during Ganesh Chaturthi.
Shukla also called on the media to actively promote awareness about eco-friendly celebrations. He said media organisations and journalists should explain the importance of clay idols to the public.
In addition, he asked the media to highlight water conservation and measures to prevent pollution. Such awareness, he said, should reach a wider section of society.
The Governor stressed that collective efforts were necessary to protect the environment during idol immersion. He also called for measures to safeguard water bodies against pollution throughout the festival period.
Joint Secretary to the Governor Komanduri Shashi Kiran Chary and others attended the programme at Lok Bhavan.