Team Goemkarponn
ARPORA: In a move to promote eco-friendly festivities and safeguard the environment, the Village Panchayat of Arpora-Nagoa has issued a public notice banning the use of Plaster of Paris (POP) idols for the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi festival.
A meeting was recently held with temple committee members from the Arpora-Nagoa jurisdiction, where the Panchayat emphasised the environmental hazards posed by POP idols.
The meeting highlighted the need to preserve Goa’s natural water bodies and promote traditional practices.
The Panchayat stated that POP idols are non-biodegradable and release toxic substances into water, causing long-term pollution. Citizens have been urged to choose eco-friendly clay idols instead.
“POP idols cause severe damage to our environment and health. It could take decades to reverse the harm they cause. We appeal to all residents to say YES to nature and tradition by avoiding POP idols,” the notice stated.
To enforce the ban, the Panchayat has announced penalties ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 for violators, depending on the size of the idol. The initiative is part of the Swayampurna Goa and Atmanirbhar Bharat missions to promote sustainable, self-reliant communities.
