The CEO of the Aarey area in Mumbai conveyed to the Bombay High Court on Tuesday that the immersion of Ganesha idols will not receive authorization in the Aarey Colony lakes during this year's festivities.
This development comes in the wake of the Bombay High Court's recent admonishment of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the civic body responsible, for seeking approval from the Aarey CEO to allow idol immersion in the lake this year.
The bench, comprising Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Arif Doctor, has additionally instructed the civic body to make adequate provisions for the secure immersion of idols across the city and its suburbs. These measures should align with the directives established by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) concerning Eco-Sensitive Zones.
Advocates Tushad Kakalia and Yogesh Pandey, representing the petitioner NGO Vanashakti, have underscored that the CPCB guidelines outline that local authorities like the BMC must not only identify and furnish a suitable number of temporary or artificial ponds or tanks but also ensure their appropriate placement.
In response, BMC has informed the court that it is actively engaged in establishing ponds for idol immersion within the city. Advocate Milind Sathe, representing BMC, stated, "In 2008, we had 20 artificial ponds, but now we have more than 200. We have been striving to increase the count each year." However, the bench posed the query, "Is this adequate?" To which Sathe replied, "No, it is not, but we are making efforts."
The court has also observed that a significant number of idols are still crafted from Plaster of Paris, a material that is prohibited due to its adverse environmental impact.
"They manifest in a year or two, but the effects are seen after 15 years. You have to treat the water. It is a herculean task, but the Municipal Corporation is so large. I am told your budget is bigger than that of many states. This is a gigantic task,” the court remarked.
Furthermore, the High Court has issued directives to the state government, BMC, the Maharashtra State Pollution Control Board, the CEO of Aarey Colony, and a senior official of Sanjay Gandhi National Park, requesting them to file an affidavit in response to the petition submitted by NGO Vanashakti.
Vanashakti's plea challenges BMC's claim, along with that of the local MLA, regarding the arrangements made for idol immersion in three lakes within Aarey Colony, which is often referred to as the "green lungs" of the city. BMC had purportedly designated three lakes—Chota Kashmir Lake, Ganesh Mandir Lake, and Kamal Lake in Aarey Milk Colony—as sites for idol immersion.
It is noteworthy that this year's Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated on September 19.
