State tells paint cos to go eco friendly……….Priya Ramakrishnan
The state government is going all out to reiterate its commitment to the green cause.
On Monday, the government asked all major manufacturers of paints such as Asian Paints, Nerolac, Pidilite, Camlin, etc to start producing eco friendly paints in order to promote environmentally safe Ganesh idols for the upcoming Ganesh festival in the city. Valsa Nair Singh, chairperson of Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), and environment secretary, state ministry of environment, held a meeting on Monday with officials from paint manufacturing companies to make the request.
The state environment department along with MPCB is also organising a meeting on July 15 with major Ganesh pandals in the city to demonstrate some eco-friendly practices for the festivals.
“This is the first time that the environment minister along with MPCB officials will meet pandal representatives. We are hoping this will bring a change in the way the festival is celebrated this year,” said Radhesham Mopalwar, member secretary, MPCB.
The meeting will also feature a demonstration by Pramod Vitthal Palav, a sculptor from Kankavali in Sindudhurg, who has manufactured idols made from clay mixed with fig tree juice, paper and glue.
“Palav will be demonstrating the method for making this environment-friendly idol. This idol dissolves very quickly after immersion and hence will cost very less pollution. It is also lighter than plaster of Paris (PoP) idols,” said Sanjay Bhuskute, PRO, MPCB.