The National Green Tribunal has directed all States and Union Territories to switch over to environment friendly methods of cremation and explore viability of electric or piped natural gas (PNG) crematorium alongside wood to curb air pollution.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said air pollution takes place in the course of cremation and electric/PNG crematoria can be set up as an option to the wood-based crematorium.
The tribunal noted that as per religious belief, the mode of cremation by fire is considered to be pious and in one cremation, 350-450 Kg of wood is burnt in the open. While making it clear that it has no intention to hurt any religious belief, the panel said it had asked all States and UTs to consider remedial steps to prevent such pollution and educate and motivate people to switch over to environmental friendly methods of cremation.
