Ganesh Chaturthi: Artist Urges Restrictions On Plaster Of Paris Idols Due To Environmental Concerns

Should there be a complete ban on use of idols made with plaster of Paris.
There have been efforts to ban sale of plaster of Paris (PoP) idols for Ganesh Chaturthi festival.
Recently, Bombay High Court directed the Maharashtra government to impose stringent conditions on Ganeshotsav organizers, specifically to discourage the use of Ganesha idols made from Plaster of Paris (PoP).
But why?
Immersion of Ganesha idols in lakes and ponds during Ganesh Chaturthi is a common practice in India. However, there are certain environmental concerns associated with the immersion process
Activists argue that plaster of Paris (PoP) idols, used during Ganesh Chaturthi, are a significant environmental nuisance due to their non-biodegradable nature. 
Experts have reportedly claimed that PoP idols remain intact in water for months, unlike clay idols which dissolve within 45 minutes. PoP idols can make water cloudy for extended periods and large quantities of PoP can increase water hardness, potentially leading to loss of its life supporting capacity.
Concerns extend to the chemical paints used in PoP idols. Laxmi Maharara, a well-known artist from Berhampur claims that PoP idols cause significant irreversible environmental hazards. He has appealed to everyone to stay intact with the culture.
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Laxmi Maharana not only emphasized the health hazards associated with Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols but also highlighted their adverse effects on the lives of artists. The increasing market demand for cheaper PoP idols over traditional clay ones undermine the efforts of skilled artisans and threaten their livelihoods. 
The shift towards PoP idols not only contributes to environmental pollution but also puts at risk, the survival of the artist community, who rely on traditional methods for their craft.