BMC told to list steps taken for eco-friendly idol immersion at Aarey Colony as NGO moves HC

The NGO referred to a permission granted by the civic body on the letter of local MLA Ravindra Waikar to immerse idols in the Aarey Colony lakes and said it was in violation of a 2008 high court order and the Central Pollution Control Board’s guidelines.

Vanashakti referred to the court judgement in which a slew of directions were issued for idol immersion and the CPCB was asked to lay down guidelines for it. The NGO stated that the central government had declared the area as an eco-sensitive zone.

The bench expressed surprise over such permission being granted despite a high court judgment and the CPCB guidelines having barred the immersion of idols made from non-biodegradable materials in natural waterbodies.

“We fail to understand how letters have been issued by the corporation. It is also not comprehensible how BMC has mentioned it as an immersion site. We call upon BMC to file an affidavit by the next date as to what steps have been taken by MCGM to ensure compliance with statutory notification and to ensure what action has been taken to comply with the guidelines of the court,” the bench said.

The NGO claimed they had learnt about the permission after Waikar, a Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA, displayed posters promoting immersion in the lakes.

“It is not just guidelines of the court but also the notification of the CPCB that clearly prohibited immersion of substances which may be dangerous to the environment and ecology that exist in Aarey Colony. A monitoring committee is formed to monitor an eco-sensitive zone headed by the municipal commissioner of BMC. However, the corporation seems to have been unmindful of its duties cast on it, which is reflected in the letter,” the bench said.

Pending the hearing of its plea, the NGO sought a direction to put in place measures to prevent the immersion of idols, including those made of plaster of Paris or other artificial materials, in the three Aarey Colony lakes.

Posting the next hearing of the matter to Friday, the bench asked the BMC to ensure artificial ponds are created for the idol immersion and that the CPCB guidelines are complied with. “You (BMC) have to disclose. There is a mechanism provided in the guidelines. Licence is issued to manufacturing parties. PoP is prohibited. Your commissioner is appointed to ensure compliance. It is not that you don’t have an alternative. Create artificial ponds and do the immersions,” the court said.

Last year, the court directed the Maharashtra forest department to prevent people from entering Mumbai’s Sanjay Gandhi National Park for immersing idols in the Dahisar river on the tenth day of the Ganesh festival.