The Department of Environment & Climate Change, Goa, on April 06, 2026, issued directions to ban the manufacture, import, transport, display, and sale of Plaster of Paris (PoP) Ganesh idols.
The following has been stated:-
•The Government of Goa has banned the manufacture, import, transport, display, and sale of Plaster of Paris (PoP) Ganesh idols to protect public health and aquatic ecosystems.
•Only Chikan mati/Clay/Shadu mati idols with PoP content up to 20% and painted using eco-friendly, biodegradable, non-toxic dyes will be permitted.
•The Goa State Pollution Control Board will operate a mandatory vendor registration portal, and only registered vendors will be allowed to sell or import idols in the state.
•Strict enforcement measures have been assigned to the Excise, Transport, Police, Municipal, Panchayat, and District Authorities to prevent entry, sale, and storage of prohibited PoP idols.
•Violations may result in sealing of premises, confiscation of idols and vehicles, cancellation of licenses, and penalties ranging from ₹25,000 to ₹50,000 for non-compliance.
•Authorities have also mandated inspections, eco-friendly awareness campaigns, and regulated immersion site management under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
The detailed notification is given in the document below.
[Notification No.: 3-108-2005/STE-DIR/PART/10]
