Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh has given new ray of hope to save forests and clean environment, the basis of the existence of living beings on earth. As much as 5 lakh 10 thousand quintals of wood and about 3400 acres of forest area have been saved from the campaign started 5 years ago in Bhopal by Dr. Yogendra Kumar Saxena, scientist of the Central Pollution Control Board, popularly known as Gaukashth Man of India. On the other hand, due to the income from cow dung, the destitute, old and so-called no-longer useful cows in the cowsheds have once again become much sought-after. Gaukashth is these days replacing the usual wood used in cremation, Holika Dahan, industrial boiler, hotel tandoor and bonfire etc.
Dr. Saxena told that the burning of Gaukasht reduces the emission of 24.80 percent carbon dioxide. Due to less moisture, Gaukasth burns faster in comparison to other wood. It takes 8 to 9 hours for the dead body to be cremated with normal wood, whereas with Gaukashth this process is completed in 4-5 hours. Only 2.5 to 3 quintals of Gaukasth is consumed compared to the consumption of 4 to 5 quintals of normal wood. It is sacred and also cheap.
General public has voluntarily started using Gaukashth in 10 cremation grounds of Bhopal. Apart from Bhopal, the Gaukashth of Bhopal has been used for last rites in Delhi, Banaras, Kanpur, Nagpur, Mumbai, Jaipur, Amravati, Rohtak, Raipur, Indore, Katni, Chhindwara, Nashik, Prayagraj, etc.
Bhopal Gaukasht has been established as a model in the whole country. Guidelines have been issued by the central government to the states on the basis of the Bhopal model at the national level for the manufacture and use of Gaukasht. 3.5 lakh quintals of Gaukasht has been used in Bhopal. Out of this, 80 thousand quintals of Gaukasht was used in Holika Dahan. About 85 thousand trees have been saved from being felled with the use of Gaukasth.
Under the supervision of Dr. Saxena, Gaukasth was used as fuel in the manufacture of fabric in the captive power plant of Budhni’s Vardhaman Industries. This generated 19 MW of electricity, which burned just like coal. The use of Gaukasth also reduces 30 percent pollution.
The captive power plant has a boiler of 135 tonnes per hour capacity, which produces a maximum of 115 tonnes of steam per hour and a 24 MW plant with a maximum power generation of 19 MW, for which 360 tonnes of coal is used daily. In the trial conducted by Dr. Saxena, only 36 tonnes of Gaukasth was used. Due to this no difference was observed in the production of steam, electricity and fabric. The company is considering using Gaukasth up to 100 per cent.
