Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government is mulling to create an eco-friendly environment at the Swargadwara crematorium in Puri by ensuring cow dung cakes (ghasi) are used in place of wood to cremate dead bodies, state Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Gokula Nanda Mallik said on Tuesday.
The proposed change aims to reduce pollution due to burning wood, Mallik said, adding, using cow dung cakes also aligns well with Hindu religious practices.
According to the minister, officials have already started discussions on the proposal and sought inputs in this regard from the Swargadwara managing committee. The government is likely to finalise its plans and implement it soon.
A committee, chaired by a Deputy Chief Minister and comprising five ministers and five secretaries, will be formed to look into ways to utilise cow dung and cow urine aiming to promote cow protection, expand cattle shelters, and enhance dairy production, Mallik added.
