Source: The Hindu
HYDERABAD, INDIA, SEPT. 6, 2001: The city Police Commissioner, Mr. P. Ramulu, has announced a reward of $1,063 for anyone who designs or uses eco-friendly material like hay pulp for preparing Ganesh icons. The Commissioner observed that it would be of great help to Ganesh icon makers if such an eco-friendly model of Ganesh icon was designed within three months from now so as to emulate the same for the next Ganesh festival, according to a press release. This would help bring harmony between the environmental compulsions and religious sentiments, he said. With the immersion of more than 10,000 Ganesh icons in Hussainsagar each year, many made of nonbiodegradable materials, a difference of opinion has developed between devotees and environmentalists.