Durga Puja Idol Immersion In Odisha: Concerns Raised Over Pollution in Water Bodies

Bhubaneswar: The idol immersion ceremony of Goddess Durga was conducted with much fanfare in different parts of Odisha on Wednesday.

Although temporary ponds were set up in Cuttack, Bhubaneswar and other major cities; in many areas, where such provisions were not made, idols were immersed in rivers, canals and other water bodies leading to pollution.

The chemicals and artificial colours used in the idols are considered to be harmful and a threat to the ecological balance as such materials deteriorate water quality and adversely impacts aquatic life, informed experts & environmentalists.

Apart from idols, bamboo sticks, flowers, cloths, incense, camphor and other puja materials are also dumped into the water bodies, which are a major source of pollution.

Meanwhile, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials said that they are taking adequate steps to minimize pollution.

"The immersion waste will be taken to the BMC dumping yard and the exposed water in the temporary ponds will be treated before being released to the river," he added.