Pollution in river waters: 20 percent higher levels of arsenic

Pollution in holy rivers is going to higher levels and it is threat to mankind. Arsenic once reported from West Bengal waters is deadly poison to human health. Recently a report said arsenic level in river Yamuna has risen to 20 times. Rivers and water bodies during festival season see lot of religious people immersing idols. Idols are huge and colored with various paints and decorations and made of material which may not be biodegradable. It is sentimental issue for some but immersing idols in rivers or small ponds is increasing in alarming proportions as religious fervor is gaining momentum.
Rivers already facing threat from municipal wastes and industrial waste have to bear the colors and materials of idols which kill the water animals and microorganisms.
Even small ponds are used for immersing religious idols at places where rivers are nonexistent.
Some kind of awareness needs to be generated so that arsenic levels and levels of other heavy metals don’t increase. Nature has so many bacteria which can eat away organic matter but can’t eat away so easily paints and non degradable material .
Will someone educate the masses that very religion is destroying the water streams under pressure of worship which is supposed to protect them.
Worship the nature and not destroy it.