Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board has issued strict guidelines for immersing the Ganesha idols during the upcoming Vinayaka Chaturthi festival, to be celebrated this year on September 5.

The Board has said that, in order to protect the aquatic environment from the harmful effects of chemical paints, only idols made of clay and natural dyes will be allowed for immersion, while the ones with artificial colours and lead-based paints will not permitted to be dissolved in water bodies.

The Board is particularly against Vinayaka idols made of plaster of Paris. The Hindu Munnani, which has been promoting biodegradable idols even before the Pollution Control Board made it mandatory, has engaged its Cuddalore unit to make idols that would dissolve in water without harming the environment.

The police too have joined the campaign to create awareness about environment-friendly Ganeshas.