A crematorium is a sacred place. It’s a place where bereaved families and friends gather to bid farewell to the dead for one last time with rituals and prayers. A sacred place is expected to be clean, but it is not the case with the crematorium in Punakha. Today, a lone caretaker at the crematorium is struggling to keep the sacred place clean.
48-year-old Dawa Norbu Sherpa is working as a caretaker of the crematorium for the last ten years. He initially joined as a sweeper in Punakha Dzong, but voluntarily joined as the caretaker. Today, he manages the entire works of cleaning and ensuring safety by himself for the benefit of the public during cremation. And since Punakha is centrally located, the number of people visiting the crematorium is increasing every year.
Despite his every effort, wastes are still scattered at every corner of the crematorium. It is difficult for the caretaker to handle the entire works by himself, as he has to work almost round the clock.
“I am disposing of the wastes by burning here itself as the waste collection van do not come here. I segregate the wastes like plastic bottles and beer bottles and burn the rest. Actually, the dzongkhag is supposed to send the waste collection van. Dustbins are filled within no time when 12-13 bodies reach at a time here. So, there is no other place to dispose of the wastes,” said Dawa Norbu Sherpa.
Today, leftover foods are dumped in open places, water taps are left open after use, wastes are discarded carelessly in the rooms, and toilet pots are filled with hard objects.
“I have cleaned the toilet yesterday. But people are not using it in a proper way. People use bottles despite having water inside and throwing them inside the toilet itself. Then pipes are getting blocked at the L-shape by beer bottles and Pepsi bottles. So, I have to open everything to clean the toilet and I have cleaned yesterday only. It would be convenient if people use water, instead of such hard objects, as the bottles are getting stuck inside the pipe,” he said.
“I have been doing duty here for almost four months with about four times in a month. During my duty, I didn’t see the waste collection van coming here even once except today. Likewise, I have also seen wastes lying inside the crematorium. Moreover, the toilet remains horrible, filled with hard objects. Of course, there is water but not used by the people. So, most of the time I have to endure and bear the toilet during duty,” said Choden, a DeSuup.
The municipal office in Khuruthang said waste collection service will be provided continuously hereafter.
Dawa normally begins his cleaning works after the people leave the site. He segregates and piles up the non-degradable wastes together for selling. He said he even requested for his transfer back to the dzong due to too much work at the crematorium. People and officials agree that there is a need for additional manpower at the crematorium.
“Cremation is happening daily and the caretaker is the only one to clean the area. Everything has to be done by him. Moreover, he is equally involved when cremations are happening. So, he is finding it tough to handle the waste collection works. The biggest problem here is all because of having only one person to do the works. For instance, there are seven workers in Thimphu Crematorium and we have only one here. So, I have requested the dzongkhag time and again to give us at least two persons to maintain cleanliness,” said Namgay Tenzin, the Tshogchhen Lam for Punakha Crematorium.
“We did not receive any formal complaint about the human resource shortage at the crematorium. The dzongkhag administration would render full support if the formal report comes to the dzongkhag,” said Ngawang Tenzin, an Engineer with the Khuruthang Municipal office in Punakha.
The dzongkhag also has plans to carry out some minor maintenance of electricity supply and water supply works soon.
Changa Dorji, WangduePhodrang
