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Dhyana Podhuseva trust, well-known for it's social work has come up with a commendable initiative 'Kasi Pasumai Yatra' focussing on restoration of greenery around the Ganges.
N. Nithyanandam, President of the trust revealed some alarming facts about the depletion of natural resources around the Ganges. He stated that, the members of the trust had been frequently visiting Kasi to analyse the reasons for deforestation around the Ganges banks. Based on their analysis report, nearly 400 dead bodies are cremated on a daily basis at Varanasi. The woods used for cremation have been procured from the forests of nearby villages and protected reserve areas.
He also disclosed a shocking fact, that it requires 350 kilos of wood to cremate a single corpse. The depletion of the greenery around the region pose a serious environmental threat, he lamented.
Their insight towards restoration of environment around Kasi has persuaded the team to devise a brilliant idea of replacing wood with coconut shells for cremation. He stated that 50 kilos of coconut shells along with 50 Kilos of wood would be enough to burn a corpse, resulting in minimal usage of wood and aids in saving 300 kilos of wood. The idea would effectively help to minimalise deforestation and ensure restoration, he assured.
Today marks an important day for their 'Kasi Pasumai Yatra' project, as 140 tonnes of powdered coconut shells were dispatched to Kasi from Venkatalakshmi Kalyanamandapam, Ramanthapuram. This 140 kilos of shells would save deforestation of 840 trees, he revealed.
The event was inaugurated by K.Vijayakarthikeyan, Commissioner of City Municipal Corporation. The organising committee on behalf of the trust members thanked the various organisations like Hotels, Catering Colleges, NGO's, School Childrens and Residents who extended their gracious support by donating coconut shells for this noble cause.