Visakhapatnam: People asked to use eco-friendly idols

Visakhapatnam: The Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) as part of its measures to protect environment, has launched an awareness programme ahead of the Ganesh Chaturthi.

Launching the posters and pamphlets here on Wednesday, District Collector V Vinay Chand advised the people to avoid the idols made of Plaster of Paris as such idols after immersion in water bodies will result in pollution. He suggested them to go for eco-friendly ones.

Similarly, the organisers of the event and association members have been advised not to celebrate the occasion at several places in a street by blaring out songs through loud-speakers which cause sound pollution. Instead, the festival should be celebrated without causing any harm to anyone in a street, he suggested.

The people have also advised to avoid use of huge idols and decoration of pandals on a big scale by using electricity which may lead to incidents of electrocution, Vinay Chand added.

The meet was attended by GVMC Commissioner G Srijana and Joint Collector L Siva Sankar.