SWaCH waste pickers set up Nirmalya collection at 40 immersion locations in Pune

September 24, 2023

Pune: For more than a decade and a half, SWaCH waste pickers have been at the forefront of collecting separate votive items during Pune’s most celebrated festival, the Ganpati. This is the 16th year of the ‘Nirmalya to Nisarga’ initiative, where more than 200 pickers are deployed at 40 prominent immersion locations across the city on September 23 & 28 September to make sure that nature is kept pure amidst the party-like atmosphere.

As per information, since this initiative’s inception in 2007, SWaCH’s waste pickers have collected more than 100 tonnes of Nirmalya each season of the festival for composting. The collection of votive offerings like flowers, leaves, durva, etc. ensures that the votive offerings are returned to nature in an eco-friendly manner. By taking into account the cultural sensitivities and keeping the essence of the city’s traditions intact, the waste pickers work in close collaboration with the Pune Municipal Corporation to promote environmental protection within the city.

It’s a partnership that’s built strong relationships with the city’s trash pickers. The same trash pickers who pick up trash from every doorstep year-round also serve as custodians of cleanliness at one of the city’s biggest festivals.

Vidya Naiknaware, Board Member of SWaCH stated, “When we come to your home to collect waste, you invite us, make us part of your Ganpati celebrations, and give us prasad! These moments are a reminder of who we are as Pune citizens. We know that if we take a day off during this festival, the city will be full of heaps of garbage. This is why we have been visiting immersion ghats for the past 15 years. We have collected Nirmalya from the immersion ghats. This year, we are appealing to Pune’s citizens to join us in this mission. Please hand Nirmalya over to SWaCH’s waste pickers separately. Please don’t mix Nirmalya with any other waste. Together, we will protect the environment and the culture of our city.”

On September 23 and September 28, SWaCH waste pickers will be deployed at 40 designated locations across the city. On these days, SWaCH cooperatives and PMC have urged all the citizens to avoid disposing of nirmalya on open roads, bridges, and in water bodies in the city. All the citizens can do is hand over their nirmalya for collection by SWaCH. By doing so, we are reinforcing the collective resolve to preserve Pune’s Nature and Culture.

Following are the locations from where Nirmalya will be collected:

Citizens can reach out, for more Information, to Amogh Bhongale – 75075 04212 or Mukta Athawale – 70309 02010

Shreyas Vange