To save trees “Green Cremation” initiative launched by Punjab pollution control board
Kanwar Inder Singh/ march 22,2023
Today, Punjab pollution control board, under the command of its chairman Prof. (Dr.) Adarsh Pal Vig did another initiative to make Punjab a “Green” state in the presence of Central Pollution Control Board Regional Director Gurnam Singh.
A trial was done for “green cremation” by using a small quantity of briquettes along with firewood. Briquettes are hard bricks made from agricultural waste such as rice husks.
“We are planning to introduce white coal (Briquettes-made up of paddy straw) option to people to cremate bodies. By using these briquettes, we will save our environment, our trees. Today, we have done a trial at Birji Cremation ground, Patiala and will keep this option open at cremation grounds. We will also start public awareness campaigns to use these in small quantities along with the wood” said Punjab pollution control board chairman Prof. (Dr.) Adarsh Pal Vig
Vig added that “white coal cannot be made mandatory as people’s sentiments and emotions are involved. Initially, we will recommend the usage of 15-20 percent of briquettes in a single cremation as it is a good environment friendly alternative to traditional firewood. A traditional cremation involves a funeral pyre built using around 320kgs of wood. For that a full grown up tree of 15 years or two normal trees are required for one person’s cremation. If we start using these briquettes, we will save our trees.’
Gurnam Singh, regional director, central pollution control board said “ it’s a good initiative taken by the PPCB to save trees, environment.”
Pawan Kumar Goel along with Rajeev Bansal from the Birji cremation ground managing committee was also present during the trial. Goel said “today’s briquettes trial cremation was conducted at the crematorium with due permission from the family of the deceased.”
To save trees “Green Cremation” initiative launched by Punjab pollution control board . According to an estimate, around 1.6 crore trees are cut every year for cremation. Most of the trees chopped to fulfill the demand for fresh wood for cremation are native from the Indian Peninsula. These are mainly Mango, Neem, Banyan, and Peepal trees and are expected to live up to 400-500 years. Unfortunately, these trees are cut at a tender age of 15-20 years. This way, we are depleting our green belt.
(royalpatiala.in News)
