In India's Chennai Ganesha idol immersions have caused major pollution along the city’s beaches, with over 2,000 idols made primarily of plaster of Paris (PoP), synthetic paints, plastics, and wooden frames immersed in the sea during this year's festival. Despite bans by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and court orders mandating eco-friendly practices, the shores from Pattinapakkam to Palavakkam remain littered with plaster fragments, floral waste, and plastic debris. Civic workers have cleared nearly 70 tons of garbage, but experts warn this superficial cleaning does not address the months-long underwater pollution caused by PoP idols that harm marine life by leaching toxic chemicals and damaging aquatic ecosystems. The use of synthetic paints containing heavy metals like lead and cadmium further exacerbates water toxicity and endangers fish and other marine species. Regulatory enforcement has been weak despite the National Green Tribunal and High Court directives, highlighting the challenge of balancing cultural traditions with environmental conservation. Sustainable alternatives such as clay idols and artificial immersion ponds have been adopted in other cities but remain underutilized in Chennai. This environmental crisis underscores the urgent need for stronger regulatory compliance and greater public awareness to protect coastal ecosystems from annual festival pollution.
Source: The Federal (Aug 31, 2025), DT Next (Aug 31, 2025), Times of India (Aug 31, 2025), India Today (Aug 16, 2025), European Journal of Environmental Protection study on Adyar estuary.
Photos: collected
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