Pune: Baramati Municipal Council has achieved a significant milestone by securing the first rank at the state level under the Majhi Vasundhara Abhiyan 4.0 campaign, in the Municipal Council and Municipal Panchayat category.

As a reward, the city will receive ₹5 crores, which will be allocated for environmental preservation projects. This achievement marks a significant improvement for Baramati, which was ranked much lower three years ago.

The Majhi Vasundhara Abhiyan (My Earth Campaign) is a state-level initiative aimed at promoting environmental sustainability by encouraging local government bodies to implement measures for conserving natural resources and enhancing green spaces.

The 2023-2024 edition of the campaign saw the participation of 414 urban institutions and 22,218 Gram Panchayats across Maharashtra, totaling 22,632 local self-government entities. Baramati emerged victorious among cities with a population of 50,000 to 1,00,000.

Baramati’s success story is attributed to the collective efforts of its civic administration, led by Chief Officer Mahesh Rokade. His strategic leadership and meticulous planning were crucial in ensuring the city's top performance in the campaign.

Baramati had been ranked much lower in previous years, but under the guidance of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, dedicated steps were taken to elevate the city’s standing.

One of the key aspects of Baramati's success was the widespread participation and cooperation of its citizens. Initiatives focused on maintaining city cleanliness, conserving natural resources, and enhancing greenery were consistently implemented throughout the year.

All departments of the Municipal Council, along with the citizens, worked hand in hand to achieve this notable accomplishment.

Baramati Municipal Council plans to utilize the ₹5 crore prize money for environmental preservation projects. These include tree conservation, rainwater harvesting, water conservation, and promoting solar energy.

Chief Officer Rokde stated that half of the amount will be disbursed immediately, while the remaining will be released after the submission of a detailed project report and approval by the government.

Looking ahead, Baramati has its sights set on a national-level recognition. To achieve this, the city's administration plans to study the success of cities like Mysore and Indore, which have consistently performed well in national cleanliness campaigns.