Image Source : Pune Mirror
The Ganesh festival this year witnessed a remarkable environmental achievement with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) successfully collecting a staggering 876 tonnes of nirmalya — the floral offerings made to Lord Ganesha idols during the festivities. This impressive feat reflects growing public awareness and concerted efforts by civic authorities, waste pickers, and community volunteers to ensure eco-friendly disposal and promote sustainability during one of India’s most widely celebrated festivals.
Nirmalya Collection Soars to New Heights
Over the course of the Ganeshotsav festivities culminating on Anant Chaturdashi (September 6, 2025), the PMC managed to gather nirmalya from various immersion sites, especially concentrated around the city’s major riverbanks and immersion ghats. The commitment to segregated collection and scientific waste management has progressively enhanced the volume of nirmalya collected, with officials reporting a steady increase over the past few years.
Key highlights from the collection drive include:
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A record 619 tonnes of nirmalya were collected on the main immersion day of Anant Chaturdashi, while 161 tonnes were gathered on Gauri Visarjan day (September 2).
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Total collection for the festival reached 876 tonnes, up from 706 tonnes last year and 627 tonnes in 2023, signaling rising environmental consciousness.
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The majority of nirmalya came from central Pune and riverbank areas, where large-scale immersion takes place.
The floral waste includes flowers, garlands, coconuts, and durva grass, all of which are biodegradable and suitable for composting.
PMC collaborated closely with SWaCH, Pune’s waste-pickers’ cooperative, which collected approximately 114 tonnes of nirmalya through its “Nirmalya to Nisarg” initiative.
Alongside nirmalya, the drive also recovered 39 tonnes of dry waste like plastic bags, decorative items, and sweet boxes, helping reduce contamination.
Sustainable Disposal Through Composting
Rather than allowing nirmalya to pollute natural water bodies, the collected offerings were scientifically processed at dedicated composting facilities, turning organic waste into valuable manure used in urban green spaces and by farmers. This circular approach aligns with Pune’s broader eco-friendly urban management goals.
PMC solid waste management head Sandeep Kadam emphasized the importance of such initiatives in preserving river health and reducing pollution caused by improper immersion of floral offerings. He applauded the growing cooperation between citizens, NGOs, and waste pickers in making these efforts successful.
Community Involvement and Growing Awareness
The success of the nirmalya collection drive owes much to active involvement from Ganesh mandals, student volunteers, corporate groups, and NGOs. Many mandals adopted eco-friendly practices such as using mud or clay idols and avoiding harmful materials like paints containing heavy metals.
Key social efforts to support clean celebrations included:
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Deployment of over 400 waste pickers stationed across 50 major immersion sites to manage collection and segregation.
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Awareness campaigns urging citizens against dumping idols or offerings directly into rivers and promoting use of artificial immersion tanks.
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Encouraging citizens to segregate waste at source, keeping nirmalya separate from plastics and other non-biodegradable materials.
Celebrations fostered inclusivity, with waste pickers being respectfully integrated into rituals, reflecting Pune’s progressive community culture as noted by SWaCH’s board member Sarika Karadkar.
Looking Forward: Expanding Eco-Friendly Traditions
Building on this year’s achievement, PMC and associated bodies plan to expand the nirmalya collection network, introduce more composting sites, and intensify public education in coming years. The goal is to completely eliminate river pollution from Ganeshotsav while supporting sustainable urban waste management.
Future priorities will focus on:
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Promoting widespread usage of eco-friendly idols and natural colors.
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Increasing the number of collection points and improving logistic efficiency for timely pickup.
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Deepening collaborations with citizen groups, schools, and businesses to embed sustainability into festive traditions.
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Investing in advanced composting and organic waste processing technologies to scale the environmental benefits.
Conclusion
The collection of 876 tonnes of nirmalya during this year’s Ganesh festival marks a significant milestone in Pune’s journey towards eco-conscious religious celebrations. It serves as an inspiring example of how thoughtful civic planning, community participation, and responsible worship practices can harmonize faith with sustainability.
Such initiatives not only protect precious water bodies but also nurture urban biodiversity and soil health, contributing to a cleaner and greener future. As awareness spreads nationwide, the hope is that more festivals will embrace similar eco-friendly models, balancing tradition with responsible stewardship of natural resources.
Sources: Hindustan Times, Pune Municipal Corporation, Free Press Journal
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