The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued an order directing the Thane
Municipal Corporation (TMC) and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board
(MPCB) to ensure strict compliance with the Solid Waste Management Rules
(2016) in conjunction with the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) revised
guidelines from 2020 for idol immersion.
Thane Creek has been designated as the ‘Flamingo Sanctuary’. The Forest
Department’s Revised Approved Management Plan for the sanctuary, created in
2020, documented the adverse impact of the continued immersion of plaster of
paris idols on aquatic life.
The NGT’s order, referencing the CPCB guidelines, also stipulated that within 24
hours of completing idol immersion, urban or local authorities must segregate
biodegradable materials from non-biodegradable ones.
The NGT’s decision reflects the growing concern for preserving Thane Creek’s
delicate ecosystem and underscores the importance of responsible waste
management during religious and cultural practices.
