Need a fillip for eco-friendly Ganeshas

Encouraging the eco-friendly Ganesh festival celebration to protect the lakes from getting polluted, noted actress and animal welfare representative, Amala Akkineni on Friday launched the distribution of clay Ganesha idols organised by Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA).

Addressing the gathering, Amala called on the denizens do their bit in protecting the lakes and environment where they are living. “The efforts of HMDA alone will not suffice to protect the Hussain Sagar unless every citizen does his bit in protecting the lake,” Amala said.

Clay idols of eight-inch (30,000) and three-feet (300) at a cost of Rs. 12.50 and Rs. 1,5 00 respectively will be distributed through 25 different centres in the city. Groups representing different residential associations in the city were present during launch to collect Ganesh idols which they booked online.

Amala also appealed people to submerge the Ganesh idols locally at the domestic level instead coming all the way to Hussain Sagar Lake. “Small idols at individual homes can be submerged in a bucket of water and the same clay can be used in the garden,” she suggested. The clay idols are manufactured by environmentalist and founder of Society for Awareness and Vision on Environment (SAVE), Vijay Ram. Only 10% of clay idols in city

More than 75,000 idols (above three-feet) made of Plaster of Paris (PoP) is dumped in the Hussain Sagar Lake every Ganesh festival. While the clay idols are manufactured and made available in the city are nearly 5,000, which accounts for less than 10 per cent of the total idols used in the city.

Shortage of clay idols Vijay Ram of SAVE says that there is very short replacement of clay idols over PoP, despite large campaigning over the years which is due to non-availability of the clay idols. “Awareness among youngsters to use clay idol has increased over the years. Even people from neighbouring districts come to the city to buy the idols. But there is no availability of clay idols. To produce enough idols, required artist and resources should be provided to voluntary organisations. The process of making sufficient clay idols needs to be initiated at least 11 months prior to the festival. For which government should come forward by providing place and resources,” said Vijay Ram.