While the Ganpati festival is much awaited by Mumbaikars, the aftermath of the festival has a huge impact on the environment, especially the oceans where a majority of the large murtis are immersed. The idols are made of Plaster of Paris and the paints contain mercury and lead. The idols take several years to dissolve even as they contaminate the sea. Over the next few days, several beach clean-ups are being organised where you can volunteer and do your bit, for both the enviornment and the Lord.

A clean-up by school students last year