Kali Puja celebrations leave garbage heap at Lachit Ghat in Guwahati

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Kali Puja celebrations have left a trail of garbage and waste across the Lachit Ghat in Guwahati city. Despite the district administration's efforts, there are now all kinds of biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste lying on the ghat, including garlands, idols and frames of deities, plastic bottles, diyas among other things.

During the Diwali, the Pollution Control Board of Assam (PCBA) banned the sale and use of fire crackers in the city. Several citizens followed the norms. However, the Kali Puja idols along with other waste materials left unattended at the ghat is posing a threat to the marine ecosystem of the river. While the idols were left at the bank, other puja items were thrown into the river.

The Kali idols have added to the waste The Kali Puja celebrations have left a trail of garbage and waste across the Lachit Ghat in Guwahati city. Despite the district administration's efforts, there are now all kinds of biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste lying on the ghat, including garlands, idols and frames of deities, plastic bottles, diyas among other things.t was generated during the Durga Puja. Around 250 Durga idols were immersed in the LachitGhat during the festival.

The Guwahati Municipal Corporation's efforts didn't come to any fruition as mess remains despite the basic cleaning post the Durga Puja festival. The remains of the idols that were immersed along with the decorative items have now deposited at the bank of the ghat due to decrease in water level. The Ghat is now filled with Kali idols and remains of Durga idols along with bamboo structures and other waste materials.

Like yesteryears, the PCBA again issued directions to the puja organizers to avoid using thermocol or any non-biodegradable items for decoration and idol making as it leads to exothermic self-accelerating decomposition creating environmental pollution. The order recommended to use biodegradable substances like paddy straw, hay, bamboo, jute fiber and mud among other such raw materials in making the idols. However, heaps of plastic materials are a part of the waste deposited at the bank.

"Immersion of idols with chemical paints will pollute the water of the river. Thus only herbal paint should be used in making idols and other decorative items. A portion of the ghat should be barricaded for the immersion ceremony to restrict the waste from going deep into the river. After the immersion process, the waste generated should be collected and disposed of. The district administration should take stock of the situation immediately," said an official from the PCBA.

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