Lucknow: The spirit of devotion, community service, and environmental responsibility came together across Lucknow on the occasion of the fifth Bada Mangal of the holy month of Jyeshtha. The Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) conducted a special cleanliness and public awareness campaign to ensure that community feasts (bhandaras) organized across the city were managed as “Zero Waste Events.”
A total of 264 bhandaras were officially registered with the Municipal Corporation for the occasion. Dedicated sanitation teams were deployed at all registered venues to maintain cleanliness, manage waste effectively, and promote environmentally responsible practices among organizers and devotees.
As part of the campaign, citizens were encouraged to avoid the use of single-use plastics and minimize waste generation during religious gatherings. Special emphasis was placed on proper disposal of waste and maintaining a clean environment at all event locations.
A major awareness drive was conducted at a Bada Mangal bhandara organized near Samatamulak Chauraha, close to the SBM Office in Paper Mill Ward of Zone-4 and near Gate No. 1 of Indira Gandhi Pratishthan. Lucknow Mayor Mrs. Sushma Kharkwal attended the event, where the Municipal Corporation’s Information, Education and Communication (IEC) team successfully implemented the Zero Waste Event model.
Volunteers and sanitation workers guided devotees to dispose of waste only in designated dustbins. Adequate arrangements for waste collection, segregation, and disposal were made throughout the event.
Municipal teams continued cleanliness drives at various bhandara sites and surrounding areas throughout the day. Organizers and visitors were sensitized about the harmful impact of single-use plastics and disposable materials, while encouraging them to adopt sustainable alternatives.
To strengthen waste segregation practices, the IEC team promoted the “Four-Bin Concept,” educating citizens on the separate disposal of wet waste, dry waste, sanitary waste, and domestic hazardous waste. The initiative received an encouraging response from participants.
Extensive monitoring and sanitation arrangements were carried out across all eight municipal zones. Under the supervision of Zonal Sanitary Officers, municipal teams regularly inspected event venues to ensure cleanliness during and after the celebrations. Additional arrangements, including water supply and public convenience services, were also put in place for devotees.
Visitors attending the bhandaras were urged to dispose of used leaf plates, cups, and other waste materials in designated bins rather than littering public spaces. Many citizens appreciated the initiative and actively supported the vision of a cleaner and greener Lucknow.
Municipal Commissioner Gaurav Kumar directed all Zonal Sanitary Officers to conduct field inspections and ensure that no waste remained at event sites after the conclusion of the bhandaras. He also appealed to citizens to prioritize cleanliness during religious and social gatherings and actively contribute to the Municipal Corporation’s “Zero Waste Lucknow” campaign.
The initiative showcased how faith-based events can be celebrated responsibly while promoting environmental sustainability, public hygiene, and community participation.
