Swargadwara: Bhubaneswar, (Reporterspen), Oct 29: The Odisha government is considering the use of cow dung cakes as an alternative to firewood for cremations at Swargadwara in Puri, as announced by Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Gokula Nanda Mallik on Tuesday. The initiative aims to promote a more environmentally friendly cremation process while also aligning with Hindu religious practices that emphasize the importance of cow products.
Minister Mallik stated, “We will encourage people to adopt cow dung-based biofuel for cremating bodies. This green initiative could also serve as a means of providing ‘moksha’ and would have a minimal environmental impact compared to traditional wood.”
He mentioned that the government would seek input from those managing Swargadwara to create a detailed plan for implementing this change.
Additionally, a committee led by the Deputy Chief Minister, consisting of five ministers and five secretaries, will be established to explore further uses of cow dung and cow urine, focusing on promoting cow protection, expanding cattle shelters, and boosting dairy production. The Kamadhenu Scheme has already been launched to support these initiatives.
