Belapur: The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has collected 71.99 tonnes of nirmalya (floral waste) generated during Ganeshotsav and will process it into compost for use in civic gardens.

The initiative was part of NMMC’s environment-friendly Ganeshotsav campaign, under which citizens were encouraged to use eco-friendly idols, avoid plastic and segregate wet and dry nirmalya at immersion sites. The civic body had arranged separate nirmalya collection bins at 22 natural and 156 artificial immersion locations across the city.

During the six immersion days, citizens deposited flowers, garlands, durva, tulsi, shami leaves, fruit waste and other biodegradable offerings separately from dry decorative materials. The collected waste was transported to the Turbhe facility, where it is undergoing scientific composting.

The highest collection was recorded on the seventh day of immersion along with Gauri visarjan, when 25.99 tonnes of nirmalya was gathered. A total of 14.51 tonnes was collected during the one-and-a-half-day immersion, while 10.95 tonnes was collected on Anant Chaturdashi.

NMMC officials said the compost produced from the processed floral waste would be utilised to enrich gardens across the municipal area.

The civic body credited residents for their active participation in adopting eco-friendly practices, including installing Shadu clay idols, using artificial immersion ponds and segregating waste during the festival. Mayor Sujata Patil and Municipal Commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde thanked citizens for supporting the environmental initiatives.