Spare the lakes, immerse Ganesha in mobile tanks

Mobile tanks to aid immersion at home
The plan is to mount tanks on four-wheelers, and go around identified localities.
Deccan Herald

This Ganesha festival, your civic authorities will bring tanks for immersion of idols to your doorstep.

Continuing its ‘Save the Lakes’ campaign, the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has found a new way to encourage Bangaloreans to not use lakes to immerse their Ganesha idols after the forthcoming festival.

Mobile immersion tanks will be taken out by the Board in different areas of the city, so that people can immerse their idols in these tanks, instead of immersing the idols in lakes that may gather silt after the festival.

“We are aware of the people’s religious sentiments, so we plan to take tanks-on-wheels to residential localities where they can directly immerse their idols,” said a Lake Development Authority official. KSPCB Member-Secretary Rashmi V, when contacted, said that the Board plans to send around at least four such mobile tanks on Saturday (Sep 18). “The target group is households which have small Ganesh idols in their homes. Of course, we would prefer it if people immersed the idols in a bucket of water but if their tradition prevents that, they can immerse the idols in our mobile tanks, instead of immersing it in some water body in an unauthorised way,” said Ms Rashmi.

The Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) has, since last year, asked people to not immerse idols in the city’s lakes, as some 27 lakes in the city have been restored at a cost of Rs 50 crore in recent years. Idols that are painted with toxic chemicals are said to damage the lakes. Besides, clay idols can add to siltation and kill the lake, even affecting drinking water quality over a period of time.
The tanks mounted on four-wheelers will circumnavigate the areas between 3 pm and 9:30 pm on Saturday. Depending on the response, we will continue it for another day,” said Ms Rashmi.

The Board has currently zeroed in on Malleswaram and Basavanagudi, and is yet to identify other areas. Areas will be covered based on cooperation of local residents’ welfare associations. The tanks will later be taken to the Board’s common effluent treatment plant in Peenya for treatment and recycled water would be used to water parks.

At the same time, designated immersion tanks in Sankey Tank, Ulsoor Lake, Yediyur Lake, Jaraganahalli lake and Vengaiahnakere are being readied by BMP for devotees who insist on immersion in lakes. Devotees have been asked to not immerse idols in the main tanks but only in designated tanks.

Awareness campaigns

Eco-watch, the environment NGO run by Suresh Heblikar, plans to stage a series of street-plays in schools, colleges, market areas and public places to spread awareness among the youth on how to celebrate an eco-friendly festival. Pamphlets and posters are also being distributed through voluntary organisations. A short film suggesting eco-friendly alternatives to immersion in lakes is being screened too.

QUICK CHECK

During immersion, it is better to:
* Have idols less than two feet high. Retain larger idols for next festivals and only immerse small idols.
* As far as possible, immerse idols in a bucket of water at home; use the water later for your garden.
* Use plain idols instead of coloured ones; if you want colours, use one using vegetable dye paint and not toxic paint.
* Remove all flowers, metals, ornaments before immersion.