Festivals have been an integral part of the Indian culture which are celebrated throughout the year with zeal and enthusiasm. One such festival is ‘Ganesh Chaturthi’. Whether it is the ‘Lalbaugcha Raja’ of Mumbai or the ‘Khairatabad Ganesha' of Hyderabad, Lord Ganesha is worshipped for 10 days with grandeur and devotion. Amidst chants, soulful music, and dance he makes his way across the streets of the nation and is eventually immersed in water bodies on the 11th day. Is he immersed properly and is this the end to the immersion?
The pre-existing conditions of our water bodies are not unknown to us. They’re already impregnated with plastic waste, sewage, and various industrial outflows which have already made it inappropriate for domestic use and improper immersion will worsen the state further. Such immersion invites pollution thus causing an imbalance in biodiversity. In recent times, Ganesha idols are made of plaster of Paris which degrades slowly thereby consuming the oxygen levels of the water making it unavailable for the aquatic animals eventually killing them. The glittering and inorganic paints used are made of harmful containing lead, nickel, mercury among others. These chemicals seep into the water and adversely affect humans, aquatic life, and water qualities. These metals being heavy, accumulate, and in due course of time, they combine with the water. Eventually, the same water is supplied to the public through pipelines. The immediate effects of lead and mercury poisoning can be nausea, headaches, and vomiting.
Mercury reacts with human blood and is responsible for many blood dyscrasias. Further, it also worsens the chances to be affected by Autism and Addison’s. Moreover, it doesn’t get excreted properly thereby irreversibly damaging the kidneys.
Lead, on chronic exposure, decreases the size of the brain eventually limiting the sensory abilities in the affected children. The group of populations that are most vulnerable to these changes are the people on both the extremities of age(children below 10yrs and the elderly) and also pregnant females. The effects of these heavy metals show irreversible changes on the fetus thereby causing serious health-related issues including ‘neural tube defects'.
Lead and mercury, also lead to mental instability thereby increasing the chances of ‘depression'.
They make the water acidic thereby poisoning the aquatic life. Furthermore, the main solid wastes (calcium sulphate) and other decorative items made of plastic and polystyrene end up in the water bodies and worsen conditions of the already stagnated and polluted water bodies.
Calcium sulphate is as harmful as mercury and lead. It makes a person more prone to nasal bleeding. It gets deposited in the airways and blood vessels, thereby increasing the risk of thrombosis and respiratory tract disorders like asthma and bronchitis.
HOW DIFFERENT ARE ORGANIC IDOLS?
Contrary to this, idols in the past were made of clay and mud. The paints/colors used in decorating them were natural and degraded sooner compared to the conventional paints used in recent times. Colours were made from natural sources like turmeric, kumkum, and plant extracts. These are rich anti-microbial and anti-oxidant source which improve the biological, chemical, and physical quality of water.
Turmeric not just improves the quality of water but also helps to prevent Alzheimer's and Depression.
With every passing year, the situation deteriorates at an alarming rate. Moreover, due to the lack of civic sense amongst certain sections of society, the stampede is another tragic issues. Every year, thousands of people either get injured or die during the processions.
HOW TO PREVENT THIS?
This is possible by following the motto- ‘GO GREEN’
By choosing/making idols that are organic and biodegradable.
Natural and organic colours should replace the colours with harmful chemicals in them.
Home-made/biodegradable idols should be immersed/ buried in homes instead of immersing them in public water bodies like oceans and rivers.
The public should make use of the artificially built tanks to lessen the pressure on the natural water bodies.
So this ‘Ganesh Chathurthi ‘, let’s pledge to give Lord Ganesha a safer goodbye.
By Dr. Akhila Mydukuru
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3988285/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4961898/
https://swachhindia.ndtv.com/ganesh-chaturthi-special-idol-immersion-adversely-impacts-environment-11133/
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