Nagpur: As Ganesh immersion gets underway on Tuesday, devotees who once resisted keeping idols out of lakes are now embracing artificial tanks and supporting the civic body’s eco-friendly campaign. From just six artificial immersion tanks in 2010 to 447 this year, Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s (NMC) drive to protect the city’s water bodies has evolved into one of its most successful environmental initiatives, aided by sustained awareness efforts from NGOs and volunteers.For activists who have been part of the campaign since its inception, the shift in public attitude has been remarkable. Green Vigil Foundation founder Kaustav Chatterjee, whose organisation joined NMC’s eco-friendly Ganesh Visarjan drive in 2010, said the transformation in citizens’ mindset has been deeply satisfying.Recalling the early years, Chatterjee said volunteers often faced resistance from devotees. “They were not even willing to hand over nirmalya to us. Funny logics were given, like if we don’t allow visarjan in lakes, our members will fail in exams. Some even said, don’t worry for aquatic ecosystem, Bappa will take care,” he said.However, years of awareness campaigns gradually changed public perceptions, encouraging devotees to opt for eco-friendly immersion practices.NMC chief sanitation officer Dr Gajendra Mahalle said the civic body has barricaded all lakes to prevent idol immersion and erected more than 400 artificial immersion tanks across the city. “The response has been tremendous. For the last two years, more than 1.5 lakh idols have been immersed in artificial tanks, with not a single idol immersed in the lakes,” he said.This year, NMC has set up 447 artificial immersion tanks at 225 locations and deployed 998 personnel to manage immersion arrangements and assist devotees.“After 16 years, it is deeply satisfying to see the change we dreamt of. We hope for a day when no idol is immersed in any lake, even without barricades,” Mahalle said.Other organisations have also contributed to the campaign. Green Earth Foundation, founded by former mayor and ex-MLC Anil Sole, deployed volunteers at the permanent immersion tank at Sonegaon Lake to guide devotees. Lotus Foundation, led by former mayor Dayashankar Tiwari, focused its awareness activities around Gandhisagar Lake and other immersion points in central Nagpur.Civic officials said the participation of such organisations has helped take the message of eco-friendly immersion directly to citizens, strengthening public support for protecting the city’s lakes while preserving festival traditions.INFOBOXNMC’S GREEN GANESHOTSAV DRIVECampaign beginning: 2010 — GVF association with NMCArtificial tanks in 2012: 6Artificial tanks planned this year: 447Total locations: 225Idols immersed in artificial tanks in last two years: More than 1.5 lakh, according to GVFNatural waterbodies: Idol immersion prohibitedArtificial tanks available from: September 14Permanent immersion facilities for larger idolsKacchivisa, LakadganjGorewadaTank near Police Line TakliSonegaon LakeKoradi Lake
