🕉️ Why This Matters

India’s festivals are a celebration of faith, tradition, and unity. But every year, thousands of Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols coated with toxic paints are immersed in rivers, lakes, and oceans. These idols do not dissolve — instead, they pollute water, harm aquatic life, and hurt the very sentiments of devotees who worship these idols with love.

This year during Ganpati Visarjan 2025, shocking visuals circulated across the internet:

 

 

• Idols floating half-dissolved and strewn on beaches and lakesides.
• Toxic sludge left behind in artificial tanks.
• Families expressing emotional pain seeing sacred idols dishonored.
• Lives lost in immersion-related accidents due to unsafe practices.

Faith should never lead to pollution or tragedy.

🚨 Recent Incidents (2025)

• Chennai: Over 2,000 PoP idols and 70 tonnes of toxic debris washed ashore, threatening marine life.
• Maharashtra: 9 devotees drowned and 12 went missing during visarjan ceremonies, highlighting safety issues.
• Nagpur: Improper artificial ponds created sludge overflow on city streets.
• Mumbai: Over 29,000 PoP idols were still immersed despite awareness campaigns.

These incidents prove that voluntary change is not enough — India needs strong, mandatory eco-friendly idol policies.

🌱 Our Demands

We, the undersigned, urge the Government of India to:

1. Ban PoP and Chemically Painted Idols Nationwide.
2. Mandate Eco-Friendly Idols (clay, natural dyes, cow dung, paper mache, or seed-infused materials)
3. Support Artisans with subsidies and training to shift towards sustainable practices
4. Build Proper Immersion Infrastructure (eco ponds, recycling systems, safe disposal units)
5. Raise Awareness & Enforce Penalties for those selling or using banned idols
6. Ensure Safety During Visarjan with better planning and emergency protocols

🌏 Our Vision

Eco-friendly idols dissolve naturally and leave no waste behind. Some even sprout into plants, turning devotion into new life. By adopting these practices, we can:

✅ Protect our rivers, lakes, and marine ecosystems

✅ Preserve the sanctity of our traditions

✅ Keep our festivals joyous and safe for all

✍️ Call to Action

Faith and environment must go together.

Sign this petition and join thousands of Indians in urging the Government to make eco-friendly idols mandatory across all festivals.

Let us celebrate with devotion that honours both God and Nature.

🙏 Ganpati Bappa Morya! Paryavaran Raksha Morya! 🙏