look news india
Mumbai: Cow dung will soon be used in place of wood for cremation at cremation grounds in Maharashtra. However, the state government has appointed a group to study the cost of using cow dung, its availability and its impact on the environment. The final permission will be given by the government only after the findings of this study group.
In June, the state government constituted a study group headed by the State Commissioner for Municipal Administration to assess the creation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for municipalities to protect the rights of the dead. Today, the study group will now research the use of cow dung as an alternative to wood in crematoriums. In which cost, availability, environmental impact of its use, social impact, legal provisions and judicial orders etc. will be discussed. This has been said in the order issued by the state's Urban Development Department.
The matter of abolishing wood as fuel is pending before the State Human Rights Commission. Also, an advisory has been issued by the National Human Rights Commission, which is reportedly not being followed. A study group was formed to review all the issues and prepare an SOP. Meanwhile, according to the state census report released last year, the number of cattle in the state was about 94 lakh by the year 2023. The study group can consider this while assessing the availability of cow dung in cemeteries.