The state-run Mahila Arthik Vikas Mahamandal (MAVIM) is working on training women from economically-weaker sections to convert this nirmalya (devotional or ritual offerings) to incense sticks and perfumes.
After banning plastic, the state government is now gearing up to tackle another form of waste—the flowers offered at religious places. The state-run Mahila Arthik Vikas Mahamandal (MAVIM) is working on training women from economically-weaker sections to convert this nirmalya (devotional or ritual offerings) to incense sticks and perfumes.
This will mitigate the problem of these flowers and other bio-degradable waste being dumped into the open or in water bodies causing pollution and public health risks and also create a source of income for under-privileged women.
A senior official from MAVIM said they were planning to launch pilot projects at the Tuljabhavani temple at Tuljapur and Mahalaxmi (Ambabai) temple at Kolhapur with the venture being expanded to other sites depending on the feasibility and response. "Local women self-help groups (WSHGs) can be trained to manufacture incense sticks and perfumes. These products will be in demand as they are made from flowers offered to God," the official explained.
While the Tuljapur temple generates around 30kg nirmalya daily, the figure for the Kolhapur shrine is 10kg, with more flowers being offered during festive seasons due to higher footfalls. Maharashtra has about 3.5 lakh WSHGs, of which around 1 lakh are registered with MAVIM. Each group has an average of 12 members. MAVIM will tie-up with a technical agency to train the women in manufacturing these products.
Shraddha Joshi, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director, MAVIM, confirmed they were examining the proposal. "We are analysing the costs of the projects, job creation and income generation... market and forward linkages are being worked out. Our offices are getting data like the costs, material required, nirmalya generated, jobs that can be created and possible markets (that can be tapped into)," she told DNA.
Though some temple trusts like the Sri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust in Shirdi make incense sticks from the roses and rose garlands offered at the shrine located in Ahmednagar district, MAVIM officials said their venture looking at giving this an organised and wider form.
In March, the Supreme Court (SC) directed temples in Vrindavan and Mathura to donate floral offerings to shelter homes for destitute women and widows who can use them to make incense sticks and perfumes.
MAKING A CHANGE
- The move will solve the problem of flowers being dumped into the open causing pollution
- The SC, in March, directed temples in Vrindavan & Mathura to donate floral offerings to shelter homes where widows can use them to make incense sticks and perfumes
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