This story is from January 11, 2015

Eco-friendly cremation is also pocket-friendly

Mayor Pravin Datke said that the civic body is planning to convert the cremation at Ambazari ghat using cow dung cakes
Eco-friendly cremation is also pocket-friendly
NAGPUR: If the study by Dharampeth zone’s health department on use of cow dung cakes (gowri) for cremation is to be believed, eco-friendly cremation will not only bring down pollution levels but the civic body can also save almost Rs 200 per cremation.
Confirming this, Dharampeth Zone’s zonal officer (health and sanitation) DP Tembekar, who conducted the study, told TOI that cremating a body requires 600 cow dung cakes that cost around Rs 1,140.
If one adopts the traditional method of cremation through wood, then the civic body spends Rs 1,275 per cremation and the rates for LPG cremation is around Rs 1,520. In fact, cremation through cow dung cakes can save at least 300kg of firewood. In other words, a full-grown tree can be saved, he said.
At present, the civic body provides cow dung cakes, firewood and LPG facilities for cremation. There has been a gradual increase in response for eco-friendly cremation, he said. In 2014, 200 cremations were performed using LPG and 23 using cow dung cakes, while around 1,800 bodies were cremated using firewood. The civic body has also constructed two frames for performing last rites by using cow dung cakes.
Mayor Pravin Datke said that the civic body is planning to convert the cremation at Ambazari ghat using cow dung cakes. He, however, pointed out that before implementing this, the civic body will seek consensus of elected people’s representatives and the general public.
Sources from NMC’s health department revealed the civic body spends over Rs2 crore for purchasing firewood. In 2011-12, it spent Rs2.12 crore, in 2012-13 Rs2.26 crore and in 2013-14 Rs2.12 crore. NMC has spent over Rs 1 crore on purchase of firewood till December 2014.
Green activist Vijay Limaye said: “Emissions from cremations contain high degree of dangerous pollutants.” He explained that burning also produces carbon dioxide (50kg per body, not counting the fuel), dust, soot, ash and sends unburnt particles in the air.”
There is a good chance people living around the ghats are breathing in pollutants. “Each cremation adds to more pollution and if the burning is not complete, it produces carbon monoxide,” Limaye said. Word needs to be spread to save trees, conserve forests and promote eco-friendly cremation, he said, adding “NMC should instead start charging a high amount for firewood while providing diesel or LPG cremation free.”
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About the Author
Proshun Chakraborty

Proshun Chakraborty is a Senior Correspondent at The Times of India, Nagpur. He covers news on traffic, the zilla parishad, the district collectorate, the divisional commisionarate and fire control. His hobbies include surfing the net, reading and travelling.

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