Karnataka seizes 2,564 PoP Ganesha idols; Bengaluru Urban inspected

Bengaluru Urban was among the districts covered in a Karnataka-wide enforcement drive that seized 2,564 Plaster of Paris (PoP) Ganesha idols between August 18 and September 9.

Special teams inspected 357 shops and warehouses where officials said PoP idols were being made or stored in violation of the state prohibition, Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Ramalinga Reddy said. Local police and officials from other government departments assisted the teams.

After the minister directed action against the manufacture, transport and sale of PoP idols, each district formed four to five special enforcement teams. Inspections also took place in Ramanagara, Mysuru, Hassan, Mangaluru, Udupi, Belagavi, Tumakuru and other districts.

Karnataka prohibits the manufacture, transport, sale and immersion of PoP Ganesha idols. Reddy asked residents to choose biodegradable clay idols, saying PoP can harm water bodies and aquatic ecosystems.

The minister was scheduled to join an enforcement operation on September 10.