Man who saved 10,000 trees last year!

Nagpur: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has made ‘cremation of Covid-body free by using wood’, thus saving the agony of the relatives of the deceased by an ounce.
But, here is a man who has brought an epic turnaround in the ‘cremation process’ in Nagpur by not using woods, but briquettes. And, what’s more striking is that the singular and dedicated effort of engineer-turned-environmentalist Vijay Limaye has helped save 10,000 trees in the 2020-21 financial year.
Limaye, who runs the NGO ‘Eco-friendly Living Foundation’ is credited with starting the eco-friendly cremation in Nagpur by first using govari (cow dung cakes) and then briquettes (compressed and combustible saw dust or hay), drawing praise from none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his ‘Mann ki Baat’. Over last three-four years Nagpurians have accepted the drive which means more and more people opted to ditch the conventional wood-cremation and adopted the newer methods.
Limaye, with the help of NMC, has successfully implemented the drive at six crematoriums in Nagpur city viz Ambazari, Mokshadham, Manewada, Gangabai, Mankapur and Sahakar Nagar. As per Limaye, NMC cremated 5,040 bodies in Nagpur city in 2020-21 financial year at the six ghats.
Almost 1,125 tons of agricultural waste was consumed, thereby giving direct benefits to farmers to the tune of Rs 20 lakh. This action has saved almost 10,000 trees (minimum 18-year-olds) in the financial year, besides reducing the air pollution by 50% at the ghats and nearby places.
“One ton of wood generates 3.7 ton carbon dioxide. If all 5,040 bodies would have been cremated using wood, 1,350 tons of wood would have been needed, which means 4,995 tons of carbon dioxide would have gone into atmosphere, thus massively adding to the air pollution,” he says.
“The money spent on planting a seed and seeing it grow up to 18 years is Rs 2,000. Hence by saving 10,000 full-grown trees our drive saved Rs 2 crore,” says Limaye.
“Besides, in the Rs 20 lakh turnover briquette-manufacturing business, we have given direct employment to more than 50 unskilled labourers in the villages,” he adds.
Hence, briquette cremation is a win-win option available at the moment.
Burning issues
* In 2020-21, NMC used briquettes to cremate 5,040 bodies in six ghats — Ambazari, Mokshadham, Manewada, Gangabai, Mankapur and Sahakar Nagar — of Nagpur
* Almost 1,125 tons of agricultural waste was consumed
* In one year, the action saved 10,000 trees (minimum 18-year-olds)
* Reduced air pollution by 50% at the ghats and nearby areas
* Gave direct employment to over 50 unskilled labourers