Pune Residents Immerse 6.5 Lakh Ganesh Idols in Eco-Friendly Tanks, 876 Tons of Nirmalya Collected

Pune, 9th September 2025: Citizens of Pune once again demonstrated their commitment to protecting the environment during this year’s Ganeshotsav celebrations, with a record 6,50,421 idols immersed in tanks and ponds arranged by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). This marks an increase of nearly one lakh idols compared to 2024, when 5,59,992 idols were immersed.

Alongside idol immersions, the civic body also collected 876 tons of Nirmalya (floral offerings) during the 10-day festival, ensuring that waste did not flow into rivers and water bodies.

Dip in Idol Donations
Despite the overall success, the number of donated idols saw a decline this year. Of the total idols immersed, 1,78,376 idols (27%) were donated, compared to 1,76,067 idols (37%) last year — a 10% drop in donations. The PMC had appealed to citizens to donate idols as part of its eco-friendly initiative.

Facilities Across the City
To streamline immersions, PMC set up:
38 immersion tanks constructed on riverbanks for idols under five feet.
281 immersion facilities across 15 regional offices.
648 iron tanks in various parts of the city.
241 idol collection centers for donated idols.
328 Nirmalya Kalash (collection points) for floral offerings.

Voluntary organizations also partnered with PMC to run awareness campaigns, urging devotees to opt for eco-friendly practices.

From Nirmalya to Fertilizer
This year’s collection of 876 tons of Nirmalya surpassed the 706 tons gathered in 2024 and 650 tons in 2023. Much of the increase came from villages recently merged into the city limits, where PMC expanded its awareness drives and collection facilities.

Officials confirmed that the collected Nirmalya will now be processed into organic fertilizer and distributed to farmers free of cost, preventing large-scale waste from entering rivers and turning it into a resource.

Balancing Tradition and Sustainability
While the court permitted POP idols for 2025, PMC emphasized the use of artificial immersion tanks for smaller idols, continuing its efforts to balance tradition with environmental responsibility.

The rise in eco-friendly immersions and waste collection highlights a growing consciousness among citizens. However, officials noted that sustained efforts are needed to improve idol donations and further reduce the environmental footprint of Ganeshotsav.