Raipur: In a significant move, Chhattisgarh environment board has made it mandatory to use idols made of natural soil and paints during immersions in festivals of Navaratri and Ganesh Utsav. The move comes in wake of consistent increase in pollution of water bodies due to religious practices and immersion of idols in large number which not only affects aquatic living beings but also pollutes water. Environment board has issued a circular to all district collectors, SPs and municipal commissioners directing them about appropriate size of idols as suggested by Central pollution control board, Central zonal bench and National Green Tribunal.State environment board member secretary Devendra Singh told TOI, "Idols made of plaster of Paris and baked soil won't be allowed for immersion in any water body. The size of idols has also been fixed till five feet and this has to be brought into immediate effect from the oncoming festival season."As per guidelines, worshipping materials, including flowers, clothes, decorative items made of plastic etc should be segregated before immersion and burning of waste material at the site wouldn't be allowed.No synthetic chemicals, paints or dye should be used during manufacturing of idols. Moreover, people will have to inform their local council before making plans of immersion.Water bodies, including city's lifeline Kharun river, have been an unpleasant sight of filth floating all over the water. Environmentalists have earlier alerted that not only water, which would have minimum aqua oxygen in few days after immersion of idols affect aquatic animals, but the high compound of chemicals creates neurological damage to human brain bringing down its IQ level.