Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Gangtok: Sikkim is cracking down on festival pollution. The State Pollution Control Board just banned the use of Plaster of Paris for idol-making and capped the height of all idols at 10 feet. These rules hit just in time for the busy festive season in September and October, covering events like Vishwakarma Puja, Durga Puja, and Deepavali.
Toxic paints and synthetic materials are off the table now. The Board also outlawed plastic and thermocol for pandal decorations to protect the local water bodies from chemical runoff. Officials claim that previous immersions caused a significant deterioration of water quality and pushed aquatic ecosystems to the brink. "The State Pollution Control Board (SPCB), Sikkim, has issued a set of guidelines regulating idol-making and immersion activities ahead of the upcoming festive season," the agency stated.
Organizers must now submit a written declaration to local authorities. This document must confirm that they skipped the toxic materials and stayed within the new height limits. Sub-Divisional Magistrates and Block Development Officers are setting up local committees to watch for violations. Police and NGOs will help with these inspections.
Expect surprise visits. Any group caught breaking the rules could face hefty fines or a total ban on hosting festivals in the future. Local bodies must now mark specific riverbank sites for immersion. Crews will strip away all non-biodegradable items before the idols hit the water. Everything else gets sent to the compost pile.
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