Yes for celebration; no for pollution

Yes for celebration; no for pollution
Deccan Herald

Jeeva Jeevanadharma is a phrase in Sanskrit which means water is the source of life. But this source of life is the most polluted and contaminated today, thanks to indiscriminate release of various forms of waste into water bodies.

With three days to go for Ganesha Chaturthi, a mass movement in the form of immersion of Ganesha idols in lakes and other water bodies is not any far away. Colourful Ganeshas unfortunately also have high lead content.

Like in the past, the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, Lake Development Authority and the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike have started a campaign to save lakes from lead contamination through immersed Ganesha idols.

The Lake Development Authority (LDA), which started the campaign with messages through media, has restricted its reach to five lakes.

Separate immersion ponds or Pushkarnis will be created within the lakes which are under the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike and Bangalore Development Authority with the LDA co-ordinating the efforts.

The public will be urged to use these ponds to immerse the idols. According to LDA Chief Executive Officer Mr B K Singh, “People should go in for Ganeshas made of clay, which do not have any lead content and are friendly.”

Individuals should take interest in conserving their lakes and immerse small idols at home, he added.

The KSPCB, which has allocated Rs 11,000 each to eight of its officers for mobile tanks, will have four mobile tanks doing the rounds in the City. “Each tank will have a capacity of 2,500 litre of water.

And close to 100 small idols can be immersed in each tank,” says Mr B Ramaiah, Member Secretary, KSPCB, adding that the water will later be treated at its Common Effluent Treatment Plant in Peenya and used for watering plants and trees at the Urban Eco Park.

Awareness campaigns in the form of handouts, advertisements, jingles and slogans on mass media and other means are being used by the authorities to ensure a clean and green festival.

IMMERSION

Special ponds created in Vengaiahanakere, Ulsoor, Yediyur, Lalbagh lakes and Sankey Tank; 4 KSPCB mobile tanks to go around City; BMP too will run mobile tanks; About 51,000 idols estimated to have been immersed in two days last year

DOs AND DON’Ts

Select a safe place for the event.

Avail temporary power supply from the nearest Bescom office.

Use Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker (ELCB) of appropriate capacity

Get clearance from Govt Electricity Inspectorate office for the function if more than 100 people are expected to participate.

Get wiring done only through licensed electrical contractor.

In case of electricity theft or unauthorised use, report to the nearest Bescom office or police station.

Use only ISI-marked electrical appliances and materials.

After the function, do not leave around any bare wires. Get them disconnected through the Bescom.

During chariot processions, ensure that chariots do not come in contact with live wires.