Nagpur: Going by the extensive use of artificial tanks for idol immersion this season, the constant hammering about environment protection seems to have borne fruit. The number of idols immersed in artificial tanks at Futala lake has risen from a measly 329 in 2016 to a heartening 610 after the fifth day of immersion on Monday.According to figures compiled by voluntary organization Green Vigil, which is manning the Air Force side of the lake, the total number of idols immersed was 618 of which 610 were placed in the artificial tanks. “More encouraging was the fact that our volunteers did not have to convince people to do so,” says Kaustav Chatterjee, the NGO founder.The Amravati Road side remains unmanned and, though artificial tanks are placed, there is nobody to control or guide those immersing in the lake. Rotary Clubs of the city, who have been allotted the area, are present only on the last day, according to NMC health officer Pradeep Dasarwar.NMC official Deendayal Tembhekar, who is on duty is at Futala, says, “NGO volunteers are able to convince people better than our personnel. If we want to protect the lakes, they should be come on all days of the festival.”Justifying their lack of presence on all days, Manjusha Chakanalwar, president of Rotary Club of Mihan Town, says, “Rotract Club members usually volunteer but we are short on numbers. Our job is to collect the ‘nirmalya’ which we do only on the tenth day.”The extensive arrangements and barricading of lakes at Gandhisagar and Sakkardhara have also added to the number of immersions in artificial tanks, according to Vijay Ghuge, founder of Nisarg Vigyan Mandal.“People who have unknowingly bought PoP idols are angry when they see their idols floating after immersion. They feel dejected and keep holding the idol for a long time underwater and vow to buy only clay ones next year,” adds Ghuge.AK Ram Sharma set a fine example by symbolically immersing his metal idol which was purchased this year. After keeping the idol in the artificial tank for a while, he took it out. “We have to take such measures if we want to save our lakes,” he said.

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