JAMMU : The Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) on Friday installed and inaugurated dedicated Visarjan Patras at Gujjar Nagar Bridge to facilitate the proper disposal of religious offerings and protect the ecological sanctity of the River Tawi.
The initiative was inaugurated by Dr. Devansh Yadav, IAS, Commissioner, JMC, and Mission Director, SBM-U 2.0, in the presence of Shri 108 Swami Mahadev Saraswati Maharaj of Har Ki Pauri Mandir and Pujari Naresh Sharma of Shri Raghunath Mandir.
Dr. Shahid Hussain, Health Officer, JMC; Dr. Priyanka Malhotra, Nodal Officer, IEC; Swachhata Executives and other officials were also present on the occasion.
The Visarjan Patras will provide devotees with a designated facility to deposit flowers, cotton wicks, incense ash, paper and other materials generated during religious rituals, discouraging their direct disposal into the river.
Under the initiative, the collected waste will be segregated for appropriate processing. Biodegradable religious offerings will be sent for composting and used to support greenery in municipal parks and green belts, while recyclable materials will be channelled for further processing. The move aims to reduce pollution in the Tawi and promote resource recovery through sustainable waste management.
Appreciating the initiative, Swami Mahadev Saraswati Maharaj and Pujari Naresh Sharma urged devotees and citizens to cooperate with the JMC in maintaining the cleanliness and sanctity of the river. They appealed to the public to avoid dumping polythene, plastic and other non-biodegradable materials into the Tawi and adopt environmentally responsible practices during religious rituals.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Devansh Yadav said protecting the Tawi was a shared responsibility requiring active public participation and sustained Jan Bhagidari. He urged residents and devotees to use the designated Visarjan Patras and support the Corporation’s efforts to preserve the river’s ecological balance and spiritual significance.
The JMC reiterated its commitment to promoting eco-friendly religious practices, strengthening scientific waste management and protecting Jammu’s natural resources. The initiative is part of the Corporation’s broader efforts to build a clean, green and garbage-free Jammu through collective action and responsible civic behaviour.
