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PANAJI: The Goa government has decided to conduct a study on the impact on water quality after idols of Hindu god Ganesha, especially those made out of plaster of paris, are immersed at different places.

The government's move comes in the wake of its failure to control sale of Ganesh idols made of Plaster of Paris (POP), considered harmful to the environment, despite ban on them. The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) will monitor all spots where idols of Lord Ganesh will be immersed during the 10-day-long festival, beginning September 17.

"The board will collect water samples from water bodies where the idols are immersed. We will also study the impact on water quality to ascertain the pollution potentially out of PoP idols," GSPCB Chairman Jose Manuel Noronha told PTI today. He said despite ban on the sale of PoP-made idols, its sale is reported across the coastal state.

"We need to ensure that environment is not impacted due to their immersion," Noronha added. As per the government directives, manufacturing, transporting, stocking and selling or displaying PoP idol is punishable under relevant sections of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and licenses granted for the establishments can be cancelled.