Hindus criticised for polluting Jamaica Bay in New York

However the objects of prayers like statutes, cremation ashes and soaked rags are causing concern to the park rangers, who guard the place.

"We call it the Ganges," one pilgrim, Madan Padarat, as quoted by New York Times. "She takes away your sickness, your pain, your suffering."Unlike the Ganges, the enclosed bay does not sweep the refuse away, according to park rangers.

"I can't stop the people and say, 'You can't come to the water and make offerings'," said Pandit Chunelall Narine, the priest at a thriving Ozone Park temple, Shri Trimurti Bhavan, who sometimes performs services by the bay.

"The offering is not complete unless it's finally put in the water," said Narine.
On Earth Day, many Hindus helped in the cleaning up of the bay. The park rangers have requested people, who come to pray, not to leave objects for the Gods. But newer immigrants are unaware of the rules. Tougher measures by the park rangers are not deterring those who want to pray.

"It's been a mounting problem for years," said Kathy Krause, the supervisory park ranger.

John Zuzworsky, a former ranger, found flags, bamboo sticks, saris and coins. He visited several Hindu temples to discuss how these were harming the environment.
Several Hindu leaders said many people do not ask for permission before scattering ashes.

Many of those performing the rituals are Guyanese whose ancestors were sent to the Caribbean in the 19th century.

"The beach was really disgustingly filthy," said Nagassar Ramgarib, a retired electrician and a leader at a Queens temple, Shiva Mandir.

"They (Hindus living in Queens) should understand we are in a different country now," said Pandit B Rishi Misir, a Brooklyn priest who leads a Hindu group, USA Pandits' Parishad.

Some priests have suggested compromises like dipping a coconut seven times in the water and then taking it home.