Navi Mumbai: In a significant achievement, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has secured the second position in the state-level 'Majhi Vasundhara Abhiyan 4.0' initiative, organized by the Department of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Maharashtra. This accolade places Navi Mumbai at the forefront among cities with populations exceeding one million, marking it as the top performer among 'C' Class Municipal Corporations in the state.

Additionally, NMMC received a special award for the highest performance in the 'Land Thematic' category, further highlighting its commitment to environmental sustainability. Municipal Commissioner Dr. Kailas Shinde expressed his gratitude to the citizens of Navi Mumbai, attributing this success to their active participation alongside public representatives, various voluntary organizations, and municipal employees dedicated to environmental efforts.

'Maji Vasundhara Abhiyan 4.0,' which focused on the five elements of nature land, air, water, fire, and sky was conducted from April 1, 2023, to May 31, 2024. The program saw participation from a total of 22,632 local self-government bodies across the state, including 414 urban local self-governments and 22,218 village panchayats.

Navi Mumbai's exemplary performance in the Amrit group of large cities comes with a total prize money of Rs. 7 crore for securing the second prize and an additional Rs. 2 crore for excellence in the Land Thematic category. These funds are earmarked for environmentally friendly initiatives within the city.

Under Dr. Kailas Shinde’s guidance, NMMC implemented numerous environmental measures, such as planting over 100,000 native trees and conducting a comprehensive citywide tree census. Initiatives included a campaign to collect mango pods during the mango season, which resulted in one lakh pods being donated to the 'Guthli Return' program.

To enhance waste management and promote a 'Plastic Free City,' NMMC initiated campaigns for plastic-free offices, markets, societies, and schools. Moreover, tertiary treatment plants were constructed to provide recycled water to industries, and new cycle tracks were developed to encourage non-motorized transport and reduce air pollution.

The Municipal Corporation also focused on reviving and restoring water bodies, conducting regular audits of water usage, and promoting the use of environmentally friendly materials during festivities like Ganeshotsav. Citizens were encouraged to install clay idols and avoid environmentally harmful materials.

Dr. Shinde emphasized the importance of community involvement, stating that the collective efforts of citizens, voluntary organizations, and various groups were instrumental in achieving these accolades. He called upon citizens to continue their commitment to environmental conservation by embracing practices like rainwater harvesting and utilizing processed water for non-potable uses.