Unique Initiative for Eco Friendly Ganapati Visarjan

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How a small idea can change people's life and  environment ?  
OSHIWARA LOKHANDWALA CITIZENS ASSOCIATION (OLCA) has shown the way through it's unique initiative.



Every year lacs and lacs of Ganapati idols big not so big all shapes all sizes are immersed in the sea  in Mumbai alone. This results sudden increase in the pollution  level in the sea water as the eco unfriendly colors and material do enou harm to the marine life.  

Last year Eco Friendly Visarjan was initiated by our organization OLCA in the Lokhandwala area of Mumbai suburb Andheri.




OLCA is back again this year in Association with Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai to Promote Eco - Friendly Visarjan of all kinds of Ganesh Idols. The pond IS 50x20ft in size and 15ft Deep and this Method of Immersion can Protect Natural Water Bodies from Pollution. And I am proud that I am associated with this organisation since it's inception.

 Last year OLCA  had 1200 plus Idols that were Immersed in the Artificial Pond created on the back road of Lokhandwala.  Largest one being immersed was almost eight feet tall, clearly showing what this huge Artificial Pond can handle. Unlike most Artificial Ponds there are no restrictions on the size and type of idol that shall be Immersed here. Last year the 1st Artificial Pond in Western Suburbs in Lokhandwala that we had set up covering Juhu to Goregaon, encouraged an amazing 1200 Visarjans here and only 15 went to the Lokhandwala lake. Even people staying near Versova and Juhu Beach came all the way to Lokhandwala for Visarjan. Mumbai has 24 Visarjan Ponds, but still a Staggeringly high 8% of all Pond Visarjans took place.
A Welcome sign of Co-operation and a Positive Approach towards Protecting the Environment and an Eagerness to not let things happen the standard way is the approach of the MCGM - K West Officials and a Special Thanks to all the Officers of MCGM - K West for all their Efforts in Helping us Save the Environment. Shri Shankarwar (Asst. Municipal Commissioner - K West) Shri Anil Mistry – Asst. Engineer Maintenance, Shri Varade and Shri Kamble, these Officials have shown Superb Commitment and Swiftness in Cleaning the Area and sprucing up the Pond so that the Devotees can Immerse their Favourite Elephant God in a Clean Environment.
The Area surrounding the Artificial Pond has been neatly finished with Paver Blocks and the Authorities are taking no chances in giving us a Healthy Environment for a Hassle Free Immersion. The Area Surrounding the pond has a Lot of Parking available and is away from the Maddening and over Populated Beaches which have all Possible Traffic Restrictions. Children and Family Members can Actually Watch the Immersion.

Round the Clock Dedication and Co-operation from the Mumbai Police and the Mumbai Traffic Police is also another example of how the Authorities from the other Departments ensure that we have a Safe and Secure Immersion. The Largest Hospital in the Suburbs Kokilaben Ambani Hospital has an Ambulance on standby to Take Care of any Medical Needs that may arise.
A lot of People Wonder where do these Idols go and what happens to it after they are Immersed, although it is Strange that the same people do not ask these questions when they Immerse the Idols in the Sea. The MCGM Authorities Clean the Pond every day after the Immersion. Most of the Idols Disintegrate into Clay or POP and this along with the remaining Idols are removed to and taken away to be disposed of in an Eco - Efficient Manner and Fresh Water is once again added to the Pond there by Creating a very Hygienic Atmosphere.

 Credit goes to the efforts of OLCA, MCGM as well as Responsible Citizens who choose to Immerse the Idols in the Artificial Pond we had a roaring Environment success last year, Natural Water Bodies in our Area like the Lokhandwala Lake have been Denotified by the Government Bodies this year and if we start Spreading the Message across the city a lot of our water bodies can be saved and we can Bid Adieu to our beloved Bappa in Clean Water. Due to these efforts, since last year the lake is teaming with close to 100 Birds and 38 Different Species of Birds were Spotted on a Single Day. That is the Scale of Environmental Impact you can have on your World !!!

Let’s hope people come once again in large numbers and help us double our previous year figures and make more people aware that being Eco - Friendly and helping us Save the Environment is the way forward and we Indians are going to take the lead in doing so.

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