Chitale, a popular dairy outlet that has its base in the city, received the prestigious Vasundhara Award for the year 2014 from Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan.

Feted: Chief Minister Prithiviraj Chavan hands over the award to representatives of Chitale dairy

The Chitale Group bagged first place in the Maharashtra in Industry category, and was awarded a cash prize, a certificate and a trophy. The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board and Environment Ministry of Maharashtra State had organised the award ceremony to mark World Environment Day.

The dairy is known for its environment friendly production methods. It uses minimal and high quality plastic for packaging, which reduces 20-25 per cent of plastic weight, and also uses gas generators, solar dishes and panels in its plants.

The dairy believes in the credo of reduce, recycle and reuse, and has also trained farmers working for its plants in beneficial feeding and fodder management techniques for the animals. Shripad Chitale, Girish Chitale and Anant Chitale received the prestigious award.