With an increase in the number of Covid-19 deaths, Delhi is seeing a shortage of wood that is used in cremation.
To tackle this problem, the Times of India reports, two civic bodies have given its approval to the use of cow dung and stubble mixture for cremation of bodies.
North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) mayor, Jai Prakash has said via a circular that all cow sheds under NDMC’s jurisdiction have been asked to install machines, using CSR funds, that will convert cow dung into dung cakes.
A circular said that cow dung should be supplemented to fuel wood for cremation of dead bodies in various cremation grounds under its jurisdiction.
“The Public Health Department has been getting suggestion through various public representatives and members of Deliberative Wing for use of fuel manufactured from cultivation refuse that will reduce the consumption of wood resulting into lesser cutting of trees and finally will protect environment. Further , promotion of use of Parali will motivate the farmers to not burn it and instead sell it to cremation ground.”
East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) mayor Nirmal Jain also said they have approved the proposal seven-eight days ago.
On April 28, NDMC Mayor Jai Prakash had urged Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to direct the forest department to ensure smooth supply of firewood to these facilities.
Delhi’s government has requested that the Indian army should help run Covid care facilities and intensive care units in the state.
Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia told media that with healthcare “overwhelmed.”
“It will be a timely help to the people of Delhi if the Ministry of Defence, with the considerable resources at its command, is tasked with the responsibility to provide and man the additional Covid health facilities”.
According to a bulletin issued by the Delhi health department on Monday, Delhi logged a record 448 COVID-19 deaths in a day and 18,043 cases, the lowest since April 15, with a positivity rate of 29.56 percent.