Curation Team
PUNE: The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation has rolled out a citywide programme to encourage housing societies to adopt sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.
The stated aim of the ‘Green Society Initiative‘ is to rate and reward societies based on their performance across multiple areas — waste segregation, in-house composting, solar energy adoption, rainwater harvesting and wastewater recycling.
Under the programme, societies would receive a ‘green star’ rating for each criterion they meet. A senior PCMC official said the initiative would not only promote sustainability but also help the corporation compile comprehensive data on environmentally conscious housing societies. “This data would enable us to support these societies in various ways and strengthen decentralised sustainability efforts across the city,” he said.
Municipal commissioner Shekhar Singh said the initiative is aimed at empowering communities to become green ambassadors. “Every society has the potential to significantly reduce its environmental impact. Through ‘green star’ ratings, we aim to celebrate those who lead the way and inspire others to follow,” he said. “Societies that fulfil all criteria would be honoured by the civic body.”
The civic body would implement the programme in phases, beginning with awareness sessions, followed by registrations, training, and on-ground assessments.
Deputy commissioner Sachin Pawar, who is leading the initiative, said, “This programme provides a framework for societies to turn intent into action. It is expected to create a culture of environmental responsibility, driven not just by policy — but by the people themselves.”
The parameters include systematic separation of wet and dry waste at the source, managing organic waste within society premises, use of rooftop solar systems for common area electricity needs, capturing and storing rainwater to reduce water scarcity, and recycling grey water for gardening or other uses.
However, environmental experts have stressed the importance of setting up a continuous monitoring mechanism, as many societies reportedly initiate green projects to qualify for benefits but later fail to maintain them. “Without regular audits or follow-ups, there’s a risk that these practices might become symbolic rather than impactful,” one expert said.
