MAPUSA
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced on Monday that Goa Police will be tasked with monitoring the State borders to prevent the entry of Ganesh idols made of Plaster of Paris (PoP).
This move aims to reinforce the State's ban on these environmentally harmful idols.
"I will ask Goa Police to keep a strict vigil on the border areas to ensure that such idols of Plaster of Paris don’t make their way into the State," Sawant assured the Legislative Assembly.
The announcement came in response to concerns raised during Zero Hour by Mayem MLA Premendra Shet, who highlighted that despite the ban, PoP idols are still being brought into Goa from other States and sold without control.
Shet expressed alarm over the availability of these idols in the Panaji market, calling it a serious violation of the State's regulations. The Mayem MLA acknowledged that the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) is vigilant in inspecting PoP idols around the State. However, despite strict inspections, these idols are still being purchased by the public at high prices. Shet emphasised the detrimental impact of PoP idols on biodiversity and the contamination of water bodies.
Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira reiterated the government's commitment to enforcing the ban and taking strict action against violators.
"I would also seek the cooperation of all the MLAs. Let us make a movement to ban or boycott these idols. Let us spread the word among our voters and take it upon ourselves to be watchdogs of the environment," Sequeira stated.
Sequeira urged MLAs to report any specific locations where PoP idols are being sold, promising that the government would take immediate action to raid such places.
The state government’s intensified efforts to enforce the ban reflect a broader commitment to environmental protection and the preservation of Goa's biodiversity.
By preventing the entry and sale of PoP idols, the government aims to promote the use of eco-friendly alternatives for the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi festival.
