Jaipur: By using Gokashth instead of tree wood, the city of Jaipur is showing the way for environment friendly Holika Dahan. The ritual at more than 600 places in Jaipur would be performed using Gokashth this year.
Gokashth made of cow dung has emerged as a unique and sustainable alternative to wood and saving trees over the years. It burns like traditional wood, but is more environmental friendly. Looking at this, the use of Gokashth is increasing not only for Holika Dahan but for funerals, havans, fuel etc as well.
Many Goshalas (cow shelters) having a good number of cows are making Gokashth in large quantities in Jaipur.
The Pinjrapol Goshala of Jaipur having more than 3000 cows is supplying Gokashth to 400 places for Holika Dahan in the city this year.
The inchrge of Gokashth cell of the Pinjrapol Goshala Radheshyam Vijayvargiya said “we are motivating the people to use Gokashth for Holika Dahan for years as it is not only saving trees, but making cow shelters financially stable as well. It is good that people are now coming forward to use this not only for Holika Dahan but for other purposes as well. “
About 150 kg of Gokashth and cow dung cake is needed for one Holika Dahan which costs around Rs 2500-3000. In this way, it has become a new source of income for cow shelters which are mostly dependent on government funding and donations for keeping cows and bovines.
The cow shelter operators said that Gokashth is an organic fuel, which is made by pressing the dried cow dung with machines and turned into logs.
It is as strong as wood, emits less smoke and less carbon when burned. Its use reduces pollution and is proving to be an economical alternative to wood. Its increasing use is conserving forests, and proper management of cow dung is also becoming possible in cow shelters.
