Celebrate festival, but care for green: DC

At a meeting organised by the district environmental conservation authority here on Thursday, he urged the people to respect environment while indulging in celebration of festivities.

‘Natural only’
Under the Environment Protection Act, artists and selling of idols using chemical colours or led-mixed colours is an offence. Only natural colours are allowed on the idols, said Meena. He asked them to create eco-friendly ganeshas for the sake of earth.

‘Sensitise artistes too’
He directed the officers to identify the artists who create idols and sensitise them against using chemicals. The idols can be immersed in selected ponds or buckets. People are allowed to use soundsystems between 6 am and 10 pm. Complaints will be lodged against those violating the direction, Meena added.

He warned against establishing Ganesha idols in government land and anti-religious activities. On the occasion, a model of an eco-friendly ganesha idol was released.
District Superintendent of Police K Thyagarajan was present at the meeting.

No donation
The Police Department has prohibited collection of donations from the public ‘with the excuse of the Ganesha festival’.

They added it has come to light that private companies and groups of people forcibly collect money from shop owners and residents. Money is also being collected from travellers who are stopped on the roads by the groups. Traffic is often disrupted in the city for the purpose, they said.

Action will be taken against those who collected money forcibly or by threatening citizens, the police warned.

The Department has also said that in case of harassment for donations, citizens may contact the police control room on telephone numbers 243066, 243060, 243061 and 222024.