PANAJI
Tightening regulations ahead of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival against sale of Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols, the Director of Environment has mandated compulsory registration of all Ganesh idol vendors by July 15, warning that those who fail to comply will not be allowed to sell or import idols in the State.
Issuing detailed directions under the Environment (Protection) Act, the government has tasked the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) with developing and maintaining an online portal for vendor registration, which will also be accessible to authorities and the general public. Only registered vendors will be permitted to operate from 2026.
The series of directives issued as per MoEF&CC is aimed at reducing environmental damage caused by PoP idols and ensuring a shift towards sustainable and eco-friendly practices during one of Goa’s biggest festivals.
The GSPCB has been directed to create and operationalise a dedicated registration portal for idol vendors and ensure all vendor data — including source, quantity and type of idols — is uploaded and publicly accessible by July 15.
The Board has to also collect details on unsold idols post-festival and proposed methods of storage or disposal.
As per directions, the vendors must declare that idols are made of clay, chikan mati or shadu mati, with PoP content not exceeding 20 per cent. If idols are found to exceed permissible PoP limits, vendors will face fines of Rs 25,000, while non-compliant idols must be disposed at authorised facilities at the vendor’s cost.
It has to also conduct joint inspections of idol-making units (chitrashalas) at least one month prior to Chaturthi, along with GHRSSIDC and the Deputy Collector’s office.
Collect samples of idols from manufacturing units for laboratory analysis to check PoP content and ensure compliance with prescribed limits.
Any violation will initiate action against violators, including sealing of premises, imposition of penalties, and cancellation of registration.
Further, Chitrashalas operating without registration will be sealed.
The order also assigns enforcement responsibilities to multiple departments. Excise and Transport authorities have been asked to check and prevent entry of unregistered idol consignments into the State, while police have been directed to take action against offenders and ensure only registered idols are transported and sold.
Municipal bodies and panchayats have been instructed to deny licences to unregistered vendors and ensure that only eco-friendly idols are displayed during the festival. They are also required to provide details of immersion sites with GPS coordinates on the GSPCB portal.
District Collectors will oversee implementation and enforcement, including closure of non-compliant units and prosecution under relevant laws.
