Pune: As Pune prepares for its Ganesh festival, the Swachh organization is entering its 15th year of its Nirmalya collection initiative, aimed at maintaining both cleanliness and environmental conservation.

On September 12 and 17, over 200 waste collectors from Swachh will be stationed at 45 immersion ghats across the city and newly included villages. These collectors will manage the Nirmalya, or offering waste, ensuring it is returned to nature in an environmentally friendly way.

Since its launch in 2009, the initiative has successfully collected over 100 tons of Nirmalya annually during Ganpati immersions. Instead of allowing this waste to end up in landfills or rivers, it is sent for composting, thereby contributing to waste reduction and soil enrichment.

The Swachh organization, in partnership with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), has worked diligently to respect festival traditions while promoting environmental sustainability.

This partnership has fostered a strong bond between waste collectors and residents. The female waste collectors, who are active throughout the year, play a crucial role during the festival, ensuring cleanliness and upholding their commitment to the city's environmental health.

The Swachh organization and PMC have issued a call to action for citizens to ensure that Nirmalya is not discarded inappropriately, such as on bridges or in water bodies. Instead, it should be handed over to the designated waste collectors.

Saru Waghmare, a board member and waste collector at Swachh, emphasized, “We urge citizens to separate Nirmalya waste at immersion sites or centers and not mix it with other waste. Our goal is to protect Pune’s environment and cultural heritage with the community’s support.”