Durga Puja Organisers Asked To Follow Comprehensive Guidelines For Idol Immersion

PATNA — The Bihar government has issued a set of rules governing idol immersion following the auspicious Sharadiya Navratri. This announcement comes in response to the directive passed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Eastern  Zone Bench, Kolkata, and falls under the authority granted by the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 (6 of 1974). Under these new regulations, compliance with the Bihar (Idol Immersion Process after Puja) Rules 2021 has been made legally obligatory.

In line with these guidelines, following are the details of the new rules set by the Bihar government for idol immersion during Sharadiya Navratri:

Material Separation: Every puja committee is mandated to ensure that puja materials such as flowers and other decorative items made of paper and plastic are removed before the idols are immersed. Biodegradable materials must be segregated for proper disposal, as per the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.

Environment-Friendly Immersion: Puja committees are required to make arrangements for a safe and eco-friendly idol immersion.

Central Pollution Control Board Guidelines: It is mandatory for every puja committee to adhere to the revised guidelines for idol construction and immersion issued by the Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi, on May 12, 2020.

Furthermore, the responsibilities of local bodies and district administrations have been outlined in these rules:

Artificial Ponds: Idol immersion will exclusively take place in artificial ponds, with a complete prohibition on immersing idols in any natural stream.

Crowd Management: To ensure that there are an adequate number of artificial ponds available to avoid overcrowding and reduce pollution.

Identification of Ponds: Artificial ponds and immersion sites are to be clearly marked and tagged by the respective puja committees.

Notification: The artificial ponds and immersion sites must be notified, and this information should be disseminated to the public and all puja committees.

Compliance with Timetables: The immersion of idols will adhere to a timetable prescribed by the police authority or the district authority.

Waste Management: Burning of solid waste generated at the immersion site, including items like flowers, clothes, and decoration materials, is strictly prohibited.

Timely Cleanup: The remains of idols, accumulated debris, straw, jute rope, and other waste materials related to idol immersion must be removed within 48 hours of immersion. Solid waste not collected for re-use by idol makers or others will be sent to a collection point.

Biodegradable Materials: Biodegradable materials should be separated before discharge, and the local authorities can utilize these materials for composting and other beneficial purposes.

Reporting Violations: Any violation of these rules by a puja committee or organization should be reported to the Bihar State Pollution Control Board.

These rules, known in detail as the Bihar (Idol Immersion Process after Puja) Rules 2021, can be found on the government’s official website for more comprehensive information.