A team from Tsirang Dzongkhag visited and approved a new location to move the crematorium along the Changchey stream below Gosarling Gewog recently. The current crematorium area at Semjong Gewog has been identified for the development of cottage industry.
The area with a road connection is found to be convenient to develop as an industrial area. Over three acre of land is surveyed. The area would be developed into a micro base processing and packaging of food items. It is expected to benefit the neighbouring gewogs to provide a consistent market in selling of food, fruit and dairy produces.
“We don’t have much scope to explore business with fruits in our dzongkhag. Now we plan to process it from here into different products. We met with trade officials and verified the location here and also consulted with the forestry division for clearance of the site,” Tom Nath Acharja, the Shemjong Gup, said.
At present, the Hindus used the area as the crematorium ground. The funerals were done in open on the bank of Changchey stream. The new crematorium will be moved to nearly a kilometre downstream. The relocation has also come along with plans to construct permanent structures for cremation purposes.
“We have identified this area to develop it into the crematorium. Come next financial year we are planning to develop basic amenities in place. Therefore if we had a permanent crematorium it will not only benefit the people but also reduce the impact on the natural environment,” Beda Mon Chamlagai, the Kilkhorthang Gup, said.
Meanwhile the Dzongkhag is in the view of changing the people’s mindset towards crematoria.
“Practically crematoria are not really a nice place to go to. Even to take refreshment in crematoria is very inconvenient. If we can put in extra efforts to make cremation grounds clean and beautiful with flowers planted around it, the mental perception will change towards cremation grounds. We have to make it a religiously sacred, serene and beautiful place,” Tsirang DzongdaPema, Said.
The need for a permanent crematorium for Hindu fraternity was also discussed in the earlier Dzongkhag Tshogdus.
