Bhayandar: In one of its first kind initiative by civic body’s in the state, the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) operated Hindu crematorium in Bhayandar (west) has started converting flowers and leaves that are used for the last rites into manure.
The civic administration has launched the pilot project in association with Keshav Srushti — an active social organiszation-based in Uttan, near Bhayandar.
To breathe life back into the huge quantum of flowers and leaves left behind from funeral rites on a daily basis, the civic administration has installed a barrel shaped compost tumbler apparatus in the premise of the crematorium. The floral waste used for the last rites are collected and stored in the composting unit.
After mixing the collected material with organic waste decomposers, the tumbler is spun on regular intervals. The decomposition takes around 21 days, following which the produced manure is removed and used to condition the greenery and fertilize flower-beds in the crematorium premises.
“After gauging the success of the unit here, the facility will be introduced all crematoriums across the twin-city” said ward committee chairperson Dr Sushil Agarwal. As a part of their contribution to encourage Swachh Bharat Mission, the Keshav Srushti has provided composting units to more than 60 religious institutions in the state.