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HUBLI, INDIA, September 8, 2002: Immersion of Ganesha’s icons by devotees after a colorful procession has assumed significance in Hubli-Dharwad for two reasons. One, the processions taking icons for immersion have triggered communal clashes between communities in the past. Two, it is the time of year when water becomes crucial. Devotees are already worried about the final act of immersing their idols to mark the culmination of the 10-day festival. N. K. Galagali, convener of Hubli-Dharwad Maha Ganapathi Mandal said, as per tradition, the icons are usually immersed in water bodies. However, this year, with almost 95% of the lakes and ponds in the city dry, the people are in a quandary. “We may be forced to create an artificial pond for the religious act,” said Galagali. An estimated 50,000 clay icons are immersed every year in the city’s lake and wells. Environmentalists are concerned with the pollution the icons create as the icons are made of clay, hay, cloth, paper, wood, jute, adhesives and synthetic paints. With two days left for Ganesh Chaturthi, various environmental organizations have requested the Corporation authorities to act fast and set up artificial ponds for immersion of icons to curb pollution.

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