Photo Courtesy: nagalandpost
Kohima: The Nagaland Pollution Control Board admits it has no working relationship with district or municipal authorities to enforce environmental rules for Durga Puja idol immersions. Despite circulating guidelines from the Central Pollution Control Board, the state agency has failed to provide artificial ponds or designated tanks for these ceremonies. Most idols end up in the natural Dhansiri River, risking damage from Plaster of Paris, toxic chemical dyes, and non-biodegradable plastics.
NPCB officials stated, "The Board said Puja committees, manufacturers and other stakeholders had been instructed to use natural clay and non-toxic colours." While the board claims to inspect manufacturers, many idols originate from Lahorijan and Khatkhati in Assam, outside their immediate oversight. Official guidelines suggest using natural colors and removing waste before immersion, yet the reliance on natural water bodies persists.
Water quality testing from October 2026 shows clear fluctuations. At the Nagarjan Bridge, Purana Bazar, and the Nagaland-Assam border, samples taken before, during, and after immersion revealed rising Biological Oxygen Demand and Total Dissolved Solids. At Purana Bazar, BOD jumped from 1.6 mg/L to 3.0 mg/L. While the board claims these shifts are insignificant, toxic heavy metals like mercury, lead, and arsenic threaten to contaminate aquatic life and the food chain.
Enforcement remains hit or miss. The Nagaland Prevention and Control of Water Pollution Rules of 2019 allow fines of 5,000 rupees in municipal areas for violations, but the board relies on the Hindu Seva Samiti to hire third parties for waste removal. With no artificial immersion facilities available, the gap between written safeguards and actual river protection grows wider every year.
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