Mandleshwar Declares War On Tobacco: Collector Launches Clean-Up Drive

Mandleshwar (Madhya Pradesh): On Friday, the ghats of Mandleshwar echoed not just with the chants of pilgrims, but with a strong message for public health and environmental responsibility. Collector Bhavya Mittal, during her visit to the town, launched the Tobacco-Free Mandleshwar initiative—an ambitious step toward making the historic and spiritual city a cleaner, smoke-free zone.

Standing by the banks of the sacred Narmada River at Ram Ghat, Collector Mittal was welcomed by Municipal Council president Vishwadeep Moyade, who laid out a plan to turn the ghat and surrounding areas into no-tobacco zones. The initiative was symbolically kicked off as the collector personally installed a warning banner urging people to stay away from tobacco, especially near spiritual and educational spaces.

“This city holds immense cultural and religious significance,” she said. “It deserves an environment that reflects that sanctity—not smoke-filled corners and paan-stained walls.”

As part of the campaign, the municipal body has marked 100-metre buffer zones around temples, ghats, and schools where the sale and consumption of tobacco are strictly prohibited. Civic teams have already begun clearing shops of tobacco products in these areas and issuing firm warnings to vendors to comply.

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After offering prayers to Maa Narmada, collector Mittal visited Shri Ram Temple and Malshamneshwar Mahadev Temple, where she spoke with priests and caretakers about the importance of maintaining tobacco-free spaces around places of worship.

Later, in discussions with local officials, she reviewed progress on preparations under the Simhastha scheme, which is expected to bring large crowds to the area. One of her key suggestions was replacing diesel-run boats on the river with eco-friendly alternatives—a proposal that was met with enthusiasm from environmental and tourism officials alike.

The initiative has garnered strong support from the local administration, with SDM Anil Jain, district medical officer Dr MS Sisodia, and other civic representatives joining the cause. All echoed the need to turn Mandleshwar into a model for clean living—spiritually and physically.

“This isn’t just a government programme—it’s a community mission,” Mittal added. “If we want future generations to experience the beauty and serenity of Mandleshwar, we need to act now.”