Every year, after Ganesh Chaturthi, the same heartbreaking scene appears in Chennai. People celebrate, but broken Ganesha idols and decorations are left on beaches and in rivers. This pollutes the water and harms fish and other creatures. Even though authorities ask people to use eco-friendly materials, the problem keeps happening. 

This year, more than 2,000 idols, many over 10 feet tall, were immersed in the sea in Chennai. Many were made with banned materials like Plaster of Paris (PoP), chemical paints, plastics, and filament bulbs, which are very harmful to nature.

Last year, 140 workers collected 70 tonnes of debris from just one beach during the festival. Studies in the Adyar Estuary show that immersing idols can change the water’s quality and harm plankton, tiny creatures that fish and other animals need to survive.

Idols made with PoP and chemical paints release harmful substances into the water, like lead and mercury. Plastics don’t dissolve and stay in the water for years, hurting fish and polluting beaches.

Authorities have banned PoP idols, chemical paints, plastics, and filament bulbs. They ask people to use mud, clay, flowers, leaves, and cloth instead. These materials are safe and dissolve in water.

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Even with rules and campaigns, many people still use harmful materials. Environmental groups warn that if this continues, rivers and beaches in Chennai could be badly damaged forever.

We need to be honest; we cannot worship God and harm nature at the same time. To really honor Ganesha, we should make idols from mud, clay, or other materials that dissolve in water.

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Conserving nature is the highest form of worship, yet today our actions are doing the opposite. Sharing pictures and complaining on social media is not enough. Communities, priests, and authorities must work together to make festivals safe for the environment.

Every idol made with harmful materials is a danger to fish, rivers, and people. India has the knowledge and creativity to celebrate festivals without hurting nature. It’s time to act so Ganesh Chaturthi is remembered for joy, devotion, and caring for the Earth, not for pollution.

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