From Bappa to saplings: Mumbai civic body expands ‘One Ganpati, One Tree’ initiative; details here

Mayor Ritu Tawde planted tulsi and sunflower saplings using the clay and water collected after Ganpati idol immersion at her official residence in Byculla on Saturday. PIC/BMC

With Ganeshotsav 2026 concluding on Anant Chaturdashi on Friday, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to expand its ‘One Ganpati, One Tree' initiative, aimed at linking Ganpati idol immersion with tree plantation and conservation, the civic body stated in a press release on Saturday.

As part of the initiative, Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde on Saturday planted saplings using the dissolved shadu (clay) and water collected after immersing an eco-friendly Ganpati idol at her official residence in Byculla.

The mayor had installed a one-and-a-half-day Ganpati idol at her residence. The idol was immersed in an artificial water tank created within the premises. The clay and water collected after the immersion were subsequently used for planting saplings in the garden at the mayor's residence.

Tawde planted tulsi and sunflower saplings on Saturday and urged Mumbaikars, residential societies, complexes, and Ganesh mandals to adopt similar environmentally friendly practices.

Tawde said the Ganpati idol is made from clay and eventually returns to nature after immersion.

"On Anant Chaturdashi, we all bid an emotional farewell to our beloved Bappa. Bappa takes shape from the soil and merges back into nature. When this sacred soil and water after immersion give new saplings life, Bappa's blessings remain with us throughout the year through nature's leaves, flowers and shade," she said.

She added that the initiative had been started from her own residence to demonstrate the importance of putting the message into practice.

"Words are less effective than a message conveyed through action. That is why I have started this initiative from myself. Every citizen in Mumbai, buildings, colonies, complexes and Ganeshotsav mandals should follow this practice and plant and nurture at least one sapling," Tawde said.

‘One Ganpati, One Tree' initiative

Under the ‘One Ganpati, One Tree' initiative, the BMC plans to plant as many trees as the total number of Ganpati idols immersed within the civic limits this year.

The civic body plans to undertake the tree plantation drive on a larger scale following the completion of idol immersions on Anant Chaturdashi.

The BMC has also appealed to citizens who immersed clay idols at home to use the dissolved clay for planting saplings in pots and gardens.

Focus on preserving Mumbai's natural environment

The initiative also seeks to encourage environmentally responsible practices after the conclusion of Ganeshotsav.

Mumbai's beaches and natural lakes are important natural resources, and the BMC had made arrangements for artificial immersion ponds at several locations to reduce pollution of these water bodies during the festival.

According to the civic body, citizens made extensive use of the artificial ponds and cooperated with its arrangements for idol immersion.

The mayor has now urged citizens to continue their participation in environmental conservation even after the festival, saying tree plantation and preservation can help contribute to the development of a greener Mumbai.