Mumbai: An association representing Ganesh mandals across the state on Wednesday told Bombay High Court there is no scientific study to prove plaster of Paris (PoP) is harmful to the environment.Akhil Sarvajanik Utsav Samiti Maharashtra responded to a query from Justices Ajay Gadkhari and Kamal Khata. HC is hearing a PIL to implement Central Pollution Control Board’s 2020 revised guidelines that ban PoP idols. Last year, CPCB clarified the guidelines were “advisory in nature.”The judges said they have not banned the manufacture of PoP idols, adding, “All we are saying is that don’t immerse PoP idols in natural water bodies.” They then said, “Prove it to us that PoP is good for nature.”The samiti’s advocate, Uday Warunjikar, said there is no scientific study establishing PoP itself was harmful. He said since 2008, several court decisions have referred to PoP as a pollutant, but they were based on CPCB’s guidelines and not on any conclusive scientific study. Warunjikar also questioned whether CPCB, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board or Centre had conducted any scientific study on PoP. The hearing will continue on Thursday.
