May 13, 2025

Environmental Management of Crematoriums in Bhopal City, India: A Sustainable Innovation Using Cow-Dung Wood (Go-Kashth)

By Shagun Barkodia, Junior Consultant at CIRCLE Corporation

 

Cultural Context and Environmental Challenge

In Hinduism, the death ritual 'Antyesti' (meaning "last sacrifice" or "final offering") is a sacred funeral ceremony that reflects the profound belief that the human body is a microcosm of the universe. This ritual comprises several stages—from preparing the body to the final immersion of ashes—and is considered essential for liberating the soul from its earthly attachments and facilitating its journey to the next realm.

Traditionally, Antyesti cremations are performed near rivers, with the body placed on a wooden pyre and cremated by a close relative, typically the eldest son who lights the sacred fire. The resulting ashes are then collected and immersed in sacred rivers like the Ganges, with locations such as Varanasi, Haridwar, and Prayagraj being preferred for their spiritual significance in facilitating the soul's journey. These sites are believed to be thresholds between the earthly world and the spiritual realm, making them particularly auspicious for the final rites.

The scale of this practice creates significant environmental pressure. Varanasi alone witnesses approximately 73,000 cremations annually, consuming roughly 36,500 tonnes of wood. Across India, between 50–60 million trees are burned each year for cremation purposes, releasing nearly 8 million tonnes of CO₂ into the atmosphere. At an individual level, a single traditional funeral can require 500–600 kg of wood, costing families ₹4,000–₹5,000 (approximately $50-60 USD).

This centuries-old practice now faces contemporary environmental challenges:

  • Deforestation: The continuous demand for wood contributes to forest degradation in already vulnerable ecosystems.
  • Air pollution: Traditional pyres release particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and other pollutants into urban environments.
  • Water contamination: The disposal of ashes and partially cremated remains in rivers affects water quality and aquatic life
  • Resource inefficiency: The high wood consumption represents a significant loss of a valuable natural resource.

While electric crematoriums have been introduced as an alternative, their adoption remains limited due to deeply rooted religious beliefs, cultural preferences, and concerns about proper ritual observance. Many families worry that electric cremation does not fulfill all the spiritual requirements of Antyesti, particularly the sacred fire (agni) element that is believed to purify the soul.

Go-Kashth: An Innovative Solution Honoring Tradition

To address these challenges while respecting cultural sensitivities, "Go-Kashth" (cow dung logs) has emerged as a promising innovation. This approach transforms cow dung—considered sacred in Hindu tradition as the cow is revered as a divine mother figure (Gau Mata)—into compressed logs that can replace conventional wood in cremation ceremonies.

Production Process

The creation of Go-Kashth involves several stages that combine traditional values with modern efficiency:

  1. Collection: Cow dung is gathered from local gaushalas (cow shelters) and farms, providing these institutions with an additional revenue stream.
  2. Preparation: The dung is mixed with agricultural residues such as rice husks, wheat straw, or other crop waste to improve burning efficiency.
  3. Processing: This mixture is fed into specialized machines that compress it into log shapes of standardized dimensions.
  4. Drying: The formed logs undergo natural sun-drying to reduce moisture content and increase combustion efficiency.
  5. Distribution: The finished product is made available to crematoriums and families at significantly lower costs than traditional wood.

Comparative Performance

Research conducted at crematoriums in Bhopal demonstrates that Go-Kashth offers several advantages over traditional wood:

  • Burning time: Traditional wood pyres require 4-6 hours for complete cremation, while Go-Kashth logs reduce this to 3-4 hours, representing a 25-33% reduction in time.
  • Quantity required: A conventional cremation demands 500-600 kg of wood, whereas Go-Kashth requires only 200-300 kg, cutting material needs by 40-50%.
  • Cost: Traditional wood cremations cost families ₹4,000-5,000, but Go-Kashth logs cost just ₹1,500-2,000, offering a 60-70% cost savings that makes dignified funerals more accessible.
  • Carbon emissions: Compared to wood, Go-Kashth produces approximately 40% less carbon emissions, as the carbon in cow dung would be released naturally through decomposition.
  • Ash production: Go-Kashth generates around 30% less ash than traditional wood pyres, reducing the environmental impact on water bodies where ashes are immersed.

Multi-dimensional Benefits

The implementation of Go-Kashth creates positive impacts across environmental, economic, social, and spiritual dimensions:

Environmental Benefits

  • Forest conservation: Reduces pressure on forest resources by providing an alternative to wood.
  • Carbon footprint reduction: Lowers greenhouse gas emissions as the carbon in cow dung would be released naturally anyway
    Waste management: Converts animal waste into a valuable resource, exemplifying circular economy principles.
  • Reduced pollution: Produces less smoke and particulate matter compared to conventional wood pyres.

Economic Advantages 

  • Rural income generation: Creates livelihood opportunities in production and distribution systems.
  • Support for cow shelters: Provides sustainable funding for gaushalas, supporting animal welfare.
  • Reduced funeral costs: Offers families a more affordable option for performing dignified last rites.
  • Local economic cycles: Keeps resources and economic benefits within local communities.

Social and Cultural Alignment

  • Ritual continuity: Preserves the essential elements of traditional cremation ceremonies.
  • Sacred associations: Utilizes cow dung, which already holds sacred status in Hindu traditions.
  • Community acceptance: Builds on existing cultural reverence for cows rather than introducing foreign concepts.
  • Accessibility: Makes dignified funerals more accessible to economically disadvantaged families.

Implementation Case Studies

The Go-Kashth initiative has been successfully implemented in several crematoriums across Bhopal, with promising results:

Subhash Nagar Crematorium

This facility was among the first to adopt Go-Kashth logs in 2019. Initial resistance from priests and families was overcome through educational campaigns and demonstration cremations. Within six months, approximately 40% of cremations were using the alternative fuel. By 2023, this figure had risen to 70%, saving an estimated 1,200 trees annually at this single location.

Rural Adoption Program

In villages surrounding Bhopal, a cooperative model has emerged where women's self-help groups produce Go-Kashth logs using simple machinery provided through government subsidies. This program has created employment for over 200 women while supplying sustainable funeral materials to 35 villages.

Scaling Potential and Future Directions

The success in Bhopal provides a blueprint for wider implementation:

  1. Regional adaptation: The basic technology can be modified for different climatic conditions and available agricultural waste streams.
  2. Policy support: Government incentives for adoption could accelerate transition across crematoriums.
  3. Integration with existing facilities: Electric crematoriums could incorporate Go-Kashth as an alternative option.
  4. Public awareness: Educational campaigns emphasizing both spiritual and environmental benefits can increase acceptance.

Connection to Sustainability Frameworks

This initiative aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals:

  • SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): Transforms waste into a resource.
  • SDG 13 (Climate Action): Reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
  • SDG 15 (Life on Land): Decreases deforestation pressure.
  • SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Creates sustainable livelihoods.

Conclusion

Go-Kashth represents a culturally sensitive approach to environmental challenges in funeral practices. By working within existing belief systems rather than against them, this innovation demonstrates how tradition and sustainability can mutually reinforce each other. The experience in Bhopal offers valuable lessons for addressing similar challenges in funeral practices worldwide, showing that respecting cultural heritage and advancing environmental sustainability need not be competing priorities.

For communities seeking to implement similar solutions, engagement with religious leaders, transparent communication about benefits, and demonstration projects have proven essential to successful adoption. As climate change intensifies pressure on forest resources globally, such innovations may become increasingly necessary components of sustainable funeral practices.

This article is based on research conducted in Bhopal crematoriums between 2019-2023, with technical specifications from the Central Pollution Control Board and Indian Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research. For detailed technical specifications and analytical data, please refer to the comprehensive reports available at:

https://cpcb.nic.in/zobhopal/Project_Report_RDBhopal_3.pdf
https://or.niscpr.res.in/index.php/JSIR/article/download/2039/1810/17090
https://nopr.niscpr.res.in/bitstream/123456789/62491/1/JSIR%20%2882%2909%20932-937.pdf

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