Heavy load of immersion of Idols poses a threat to human and aquatic life.
Now a good number of organizations here are cautious about the eco-friendliness of the city as a whole during the festive season. Innumerable awards are also being offered for strict adherence of the environmental directives of the WB Pollution Control Board and fulfillment of other criteria. But none is there to look after the pollution of water of Damodar which is the only source of drinking water in this vast industrial city like Asansol, Durgapur as a whole.
Not only the only river Damodar is polluted due to heavy load of immersion of the idols mainly from Biswakarma to Kalipuja the small ponds within the township area have also clogged with heavy idol structures. In Durgapur the mega puja organizers are trying to immerse their idols in Damodar River but the other several organizers are immersing their idols in the nearest ponds in Mohiskapur, J.C. Bose, Bhava and Palalshdiah and also in some ponds in the outskirt of the township. Though now it has become a practice of some groups of boys under the umbrella of some ‘dadas’ to remove the structures from the pond and river and to stack them in a place on their ‘might is right’ basis and selling the same to some agencies or dalals which are ultimately getting re-used but the main concern of the city people is about the contamination of water. Since pond water is stagnant and the quantity of water is much less than a river for its shallowness, it gets easily polluted and harms a lot to the human users, cattle and the aquatic small creatures.
Officials from the Pollution Department say ,”Damodar River during this festival season has become a cause of concern among the people of South Bengal as a whole because of increased use of cheap lead and chrome-based paints. Much use of plaster of Paris has also become a troublesome issue. Innumerable idols from Biswakarma Puja to Kalipuja are being immersed in Damodar and the use of lead based paints has become a threat to the survival of aquatic creatures and increase pollution in the already contaminated river water. Since this is the only source of water for this vast industrial area and if pollution increases in such a manner, we don’t know what would be the future of this industrial complex ?”
Environmentalist say, “As lead and chrome are carcinogenic heavy metals which dissolve in water easily, immersion of such idols contaminate the river and the pond water. Recent trend to use plaster of Paris by the clay-modelers which dries faster and stronger than ordinary clay is much harmful. It is insoluble and contaminates water bodies by forming an impermeable layer on the river bottom preventing biodegradation which causes buildup of poisonous gases that ultimately destroys aquatic plants and creatures. It is more harmful for fishes.”
In village areas still many a people use pond water in many ways. Even now men, women and their kids take bath most pleasurably in ponds. Cattles in large have no other option to quench their thirst. Their survival as a whole is getting endangered day by day. People are suffering from various skin diseases and allergies.
Balaram Sutradhar, a senior clay-artist says, “I heart from my father that in earlier days idols were painted with organic dyes mostly derived from stones, vegetable seeds, fruit, seashells and clay soil. But now all are using modern cheap inorganic paints and viscid substance(glue) as they are cheap and easily available. In earlier days the finishing polish named as ‘gham tel’ used from seeds of turmeric but now chemicals are used which are poisonous even.”
Local boys who are the main users of the ponds, in many ways, inter township areas say ,”During immersion ceremony puja articles such as poly bags, foam cut outs, flowers, food offerings, decoration, metal polish, plastic seeds, cosmetic items all are thrown into the pond water. It has become a practice rather a custom of the people since ages not to throw the puja left over items anywhere but into the pond or river water directly. This makes the pond water more polluted. We don’t know township people will when wake up in this pressing issue! ”
Officers of DMC say, “For the last few years we have taken necessary steps during this immersion time. A large place has been earmarked for immersion of idols in Barrage area where the gangs clears the structures but for the contamination of water who will take the responsibility except the Organizers as a whole by a pledge not to accept the idols that are made of such polluting agents at least for the sake of the environment ! This has become the question – but who will bell the cat?
