With Durga Puja idol immersion completed at several locations and Lakshmi Puja and Diwali approaching, the Tripura State Pollution Control Board has stepped up its efforts to assess the environmental impact of festive celebrations across the state.
The ongoing exercise focuses on testing water quality at idol immersion sites, monitoring noise pollution and assessing air quality during the festival period. The initiative is being conducted in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Dr Rajib Pal, an official of the state pollution control board, said water samples were being collected both before and after idol immersion to identify possible changes in water quality. Following Friday’s Durga Puja carnival, samples were collected from immersion sites on Saturday for laboratory testing.
He said the monitoring process would continue for another seven to eight days, allowing officials to assess the possible effects of idol immersion on water bodies. Once the laboratory analysis is completed, a detailed report will be prepared and forwarded to the concerned departments, the CPCB and other relevant authorities.
The board is also keeping a close watch on noise levels during the festive season. According to Dr Pal, measurements have been carried out during both daytime and nighttime hours from Ganesh Puja through Durga Puja. The exercise covers silence zones, residential neighbourhoods and commercial areas to assess variations in noise levels.
With Lakshmi Puja and Diwali around the corner, the board will continue its surveillance, with special emphasis on noise pollution and ambient air quality during the celebrations.
Similar monitoring activities are also being conducted in different parts of the state, including areas covered by the board’s Udaipur zonal office.
Officials said the primary objective of the exercise is to maintain a balance between festive celebrations and environmental protection. The scientific findings are expected to help the authorities understand pollution trends during the festival season and take appropriate measures wherever necessary.
