District Collector Rajakumari Ganiya has urged the public to plant a sapling in the vessel or pot in which the clay idol of Ganesh will be immersed after the Vinayaka Chaturthi festivities, fulfilling their responsibility towards environment protection.

Nandyal district administration and the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) have jointly distributed 3,000 clay Ganesh idols for free across the district to raise public awareness about environmental protection. Ms. Rajakumari Ganiya personally distributed the clay idols to the public at the Revenue Clinic located near the PGRS building at the Collectorate on Sunday.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Rajakumari said that the immersion of Ganesh idols made from Plaster of Paris (POP) and chemical paints pollutes water bodies and harms the environment. She urged the public to act responsibly regarding environmental conservation and to worship only clay idols. “Instead of immersing the clay idols in water bodies, people could immerse them in a flower pot at home. Plant and nurture a sapling in the same vessel used for the immersion,” she said.

The Collector also directed Ganesh pandal organisers in the district to strictly follow the guidelines and safety regulations issued by relevant officials and festival committees. She asked them to exercise caution regarding power lines and avoid pushing electric wires with sticks during transportation of idols. She advised that any issue, however minor, should be immediately brought to the attention of the officials for resolution.

Ms. Rajakumari expressed hope that the public would celebrate the festival grandly, in a peaceful atmosphere, with devotion, and in an eco-friendly manner.

APPCB official Kishore Reddy said the distribution of clay Ganesh idols was organized annually to raise public awareness about environmental protection. Regarding the deficit rainfall this year, he advised people to use water judiciously and to immerse the clay Ganesh idols at home whenever possible.