Chennai officials are actively scouting for alternative locations, including restored ponds and artificial structures, for the immersion of Ganesh idols this year after the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) southern bench imposed a stay on immersion at the popular Pattinapakkam and Neelankarai beaches. The NGT’s directive came during a hearing concerning a petition that highlighted concerns about pollution in water bodies.
The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), in conjunction with the collectorate and the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), convened a meeting to address the NGT’s instructions. Authorities are now evaluating various options to accommodate devotees while adhering to environmental regulations. The NGT’s southern bench has mandated that environmentally sensitive areas like Pattinapakkam and Neelankarai, which fall within the Coastal Regulation Zone-I (CRZ-I), should not be used for idol immersion. This decision follows concerns raised about the ecological impact on these coastal areas, including potential turtle nesting sites.
NGT’s Environmental Concerns Drive Site Reconsideration
The NGT’s intervention stems from a petition filed by a Chennai resident, who sought measures to prevent the pollution of water bodies not designated for idol immersion. The tribunal has emphasized the importance of protecting eco-sensitive waterbodies such as rivers, lakes, and wetlands. As a result, officials are exploring the possibility of diverting the crowds and idols from Pattinapakkam and Neelankarai to other designated immersion points, including Tiruvottiyur, Ennore, and Kasimedu. However, the feasibility of such diversions is being weighed against concerns related to law and order, crowd management, and potential religious tensions.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has previously issued guidelines recommending immersion in designated artificial confined tanks or ponds as a primary option. If immersion in natural water bodies is unavoidable, specific locations with shallow water depth, proper access, and barricades must be identified. Post-immersion, these locations require desludging and waste removal within 24 hours to mitigate environmental damage. The NGT has also stressed the need to add coagulants like lime or alum to temporary water bodies created for immersion to prevent solid settlement, with subsequent checks on water color and turbidity.
Challenges and Alternative Solutions for Idol Immersion
The stay on immersion at Pattinapakkam and Neelankarai presents logistical challenges, particularly for devotees in the southern suburbs of Chennai who traditionally used these sites. Organising units have expressed concerns that alternative sea immersion points are primarily located in North Chennai, necessitating long travel for many. This has led authorities to consider the restoration and utilization of smaller ponds that have been revitalized in recent years.
The Madras High Court has previously underscored the significance of environmental protection, directing that only eco-friendly idols, certified by competent authorities as free from harmful materials like plaster of Paris (PoP) and synthetic paints, should be immersed in natural water bodies. Uncertified idols are to be immersed in artificial water bodies. The court has highlighted that the use of non-biodegradable materials causes grave harm to water bodies, affecting aquatic life and potentially introducing toxins into the ecosystem.
A meeting of officials from the GCC, collectorate, and TNPCB has taken place, with another hearing scheduled by the NGT on September 16. This will likely provide further clarity on the approved immersion sites for the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi festival. The authorities are committed to finding a balance between religious observance and environmental stewardship, ensuring that the immersion process is conducted in a manner that minimizes ecological impact.
The Chenab Times News Desk