Hailakandi administration pitches for eco-friendly Durga Puja

Hailakandi, October 3: Acting Deputy Commissioner, Hailakandi, TT Daolagupu has directed the Puja committees of the entire district to strictly follow the guidelines issued by the Pollution Control Board, Assam for celebration of Durga Puja in an eco-friendly manner.

In an order issued here on Monday, Daolagupu asked the Superintendent of Police, the Additiol District Magistrates, Circle Officers and Executive Magistrates to strictly enforce the guidelines of the Pollution Control Board for observance of the ensuing Durga Puja in an eco-friendly manner with minimal pollution to the environment, stated a press release.

As per the guidelines, use of baked clay, plaster of paris should be avoided; painting of idols should be discouraged, including use of toxic and non-biodegradable chemical dyes, prohibiting strictly the use of thermocol or any other non-biodegradable materials for decoration and idol-making; not to play any music player, microphone, drums before 8 AM and after 10 PM and during the rest of the day to keep the decibel level within the permissible limit.

Awareness must be created by the officials for encouraging making of idols from tural materials; use of water soluble and non-toxic tural dyes for painting of idols; and use of eco-friendly paper plate, ba leaves, shell leaves or dry plates for distribution of prasad.

On the day of immersion, the officials responsible for enforcing the guidelines must ensure cordoning of and barricading of the idol immersion points; collection of biodegradable materials separately for recycling or composting and non-biodegradable materials for disposal in sanitary landfills and prohibiting burning of solid wastes. The guidelines also stressed keeping a pollution-free environment by asking the administration to place sufficient numbers of bins and containers to avoid littering of food and other wastes.