Eco-Friendly Crematorium

The Social Forestry & Environment Wing of the Forest & Environment Department is financing and promoting construction of Eco-friendly Crematoria in different parts of the state. Eco-friendly Crematorium or Fuel efficient Crematorium is a structure designed by the enterprising, Late Ma Kambel Shullai. The traditional methods of cremation required lot of fuel wood, thereby putting pressure on forests. The newly designed Eco-Friendly Crematorium however, consumes less fire wood and takes less time to burn. Consequently, fuel wood requirement gets reduced which ultimately reduces  pressure on forests. People have appreciated the new technology and many applications from various organisations located in different districts were received. The Forest Department continues to facilitate construction of such structures throughout the State with funds from the Finance Commission Grant. However, no fund was received for this purpose since the year 2014-15. A proposal was moved seeking funds under the Finance Commission Award for the year 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18 but no fund was provided during the last three years.
The concept for construction of eco-friendly crematorium dates back to the year 2003 when (Late) Shri. KambelShullai had a keen concern for protecting and conserving the forests and environment. His main concern regarding the environment was the amount of wood consumed. The amount of smoke emitted, unhygienic smell and duration of cremation in the open and traditional method are the other  factors  that finally led him to invent the Eco-friendly Crematorium. The first one came to light in the year 2003 when  the construction took place at Khimusniang Jowai by Seinraij Jowai under the supervision of the inventor himself. Seeing the result, thedesign and concept was accepted by the Sein Raj and other community members. Subsequently, more number of these structures had been constructed in villages like Raliang, Shangpung etc. where people are still following the traditional faith.

Table 1:- A comparison

Particulars	Traditional Way of Crematorium	Eco-friendly Crematorium
Amount of wood consumed	Nearly 3 cubic metres of woods required	Only about 0.80 cubic metres of woods required
Time taken for Cremation	About 4 to 5 hours	Takes about 1.5 to 2 hours
Sanitation/Hygiene	Huge amount of smoke released; not hygienic and smoke uncontrolled	Less amount of smoke emitted in a controlled manner through a chimney

The Social Forestry Division, Jowai had so far constructed 12 (twelve) numbers of Eco-friendly Crematorium at Mihmyntdu Village, Thad Muthlong Village, Pasyih Village, Sabahmuswang Village, Mukhla, Ialong Village, Mynktung Village, Mynkrem Village, Khliehriat Village, Padu Village, Laskein-Nongkynrih Village and Khonchnong Village.

Nos. of Crematorium Constructed till date

Eco-friendly crematorium at Ialong, Mukhla and Laskein Rangthylliang Village