In a major step towards sustainability and women empowerment, the Jabalpur Municipal Corporation (JMC) has launched a unique initiative to recycle religious offerings into incense sticks, dhoop and organic compost. The project was inaugurated by Mayor Jagat Bahadur Singh, along with Mayor-in-Council members and Municipal Commissioner Preeti Yadav, at the city’s composting plant, on Tuesday. To facilitate this initiative, two electric vehicles were also flagged off during the programme. These vehicles will collect worship materials from designated bins placed in temples maintained by the Municipal Corporation.

 

The pilot collection began from the Hanuman Temple at Ranital, where offerings were transported to the compost plant. It may be noted that the initiative would not only promote cleanliness in the city but also provide new livelihood opportunities to local women. This innovation will benefit women self-help groups by creating employment while taking Jabalpur a step ahead in cleanliness and sustainability.

 

Municipal Commissioner Preeti Yadav said, this effort aims to prevent immersion of puja materials into water bodies, thereby contributing to environmental conservation. The materials collected will be processed by women’s self-help groups into incense products and organic fertilisers. She also informed that more electric vehicles and compost plants would be added if needed. She said, transforming temple waste into reusable products reflects the city’s commitment to responsible waste management. Instead of polluting water sources, these offerings will now be used to create something sacred again. Those also present were Deputy Commissioner Sambhav Ayachi, Health Officer Ankita Burman, Abhinav Mishra, Arjun Yadav, Saurabh Tiwari and others.