Like the rest of the nation, AstroVed is gearing up to celebrate Ganesha Chaturthi, the birthday of the elephant-headed deity, Lord Ganesha. Along with the excitement and fervor that typically accompanies each Ganesha Chaturthi celebration, there is a heightened awareness and concern about the after effects of the celebrations as well with respect to the environment, especially water bodies. The festival culminates with the immersion of the Ganesha idols in nearby water bodies. However this has a grave impact on them as the idols are often made of Plaster of Paris and chemical paints are used in their making. Plaster of Paris (POP) idols comprise elements like gypsum, sulphur, phosphorus and magnesium. Chemical paints have cadmium, mercury, carbon and lead which are quite toxic. People also throw plastic flowers, garlands, thermocol and other decorations which are not bio-degradable, into the water bodies. This increases acidity levels and also the presence of organic matter, solid matter and heavy metals in the water. It is harmful to marine life and also pollutes ground water which affects human beings too.
