A girl paints a Ganesh idol in Berhampur. Picture by Gopal Krishna Reddy

Berhampur, Aug. 24: The tradition of immersing thousands of Ganesh idols in about 40 ponds in Berhampur and quite a few at the Gopalpur beach has contributed to water pollution.

“These idols are made of clay and plaster of Paris and adorned with cloths supported by small iron rods. Varnish, synthetic and acrylic watercolours are applied on them. Therefore, when the chemical colours are dissolved in water, it results in pollution and the water quality gets affected,” said B.K. Gamaik, chemistry lecturer at Berhampur University.

He said the concentration of calcium increased in the water bodies after the idols were immersed. “Over the years, the average concentration of heavy metals, especially arsenic, lead and mercury, has considerably increased in the pond water. An excess of these elements causes skin diseases and can destroy brain cells, cause corrosion and ulceration of the digestive tract. People consuming fish, caught from these ponds, over a period of time may get afflicted with mercury poisoning,” he said.

“To make the idols more attractive and colourful, the idol-makers prefer clay to plaster of Paris as it is more malleable, stronger and dries faster,” Gamaik said.

The craftsmen said the idols made of plaster of Paris were gaining popularity. “While a five-foot-high idol of Lord Ganesh made of clay costs Rs 3,000, a plaster of Paris-idol of the same size costs about Rs 7,000. People opt for the plaster of Paris-idols as these are light and sport an attractive finishing,” said Raj Kumar Behera, who has been making clay idols of gods and goddesses for the past 16 years.

While the clay-idols dissolve within hours of immersion, the plaster of Paris ones may take several months or years to dissolve completely.

“Moreover, the chemical paints, used to decorate the idols, contain heavy metals such as, mercury and lead, which seep into water as the idol dissolves,” the lecturer said.

Surya Shankar Mishra, zonal officer of the Pollution Control Board, Berhampur, said: “Generally, the Centre asks for a report on the quality and pollution-level of water bodies after Durga puja. On other occasions, we can conduct a study only after we get a direction from them.”