District Collector Rajakumari Ganiya has urged residents of Nandyal district to plant a sapling in the pot in which a clay Ganesh idol will be immersed after Vinayaka Chaturthi, emphasizing environmental responsibility.
To promote eco‑friendly practices, the district administration and the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) distributed 3,000 clay Ganesh idols free of charge across the district. Ms. Ganiya personally handed the idols to the public at the Revenue Clinic near the PGRS building at the Collectorate on Sunday.
During the event, Ms. Ganiya highlighted that idols made from Plaster of Paris and chemical paints pollute water bodies. She urged people to worship only clay idols and suggested that instead of immersing them in water, the pot could be used at home to plant and nurture a sapling.
The Collector also directed pandal organisers to strictly follow guidelines and safety regulations, cautioning against contact with power lines and the use of electric wires during idol transport. She requested that any issues be reported immediately for resolution. APPCB official Kishore Reddy added that the annual distribution of clay idols aims to raise awareness, and advised judicious water use amid this year’s deficit, encouraging home immersion whenever possible.
