FOUNDATION STONE LAYING OF FIRST EVER GAS BASED, ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY  GAS-BASED ANIMAL CREMATION FURNACE SYSTEM (CFS)

 

Traditionally in Sikkim, the carcasses of animals after their death either through disease or accident are cremated through deep burial and open dumping which seems to be harming the environment and also overburdening the already limited land resources in the state, especially in cities and towns. Some carcasses especially stray animals are dumped in an open space and a few of these carcasses are collected and dumped in the common landfill sites causing immense negative impacts on the environment through soil, air, and water contamination. The indiscriminate dumping of animals’ carcasses in landfill areas in the absence of scientific disposal is found to be upsetting the ecological imbalance, especially the increasing trend of the interface between wildlife- domesticated animals and further posing a threat of zoonotic disease transmission. The contaminated air and water also seem to be causing increasing cases of water and air-borne infection in humans. Thus, considering the above-mentioned facts and on the sideline of Sikkim’s Glorious 50 Years of Statehood, the State Government has recently laid the foundation stone for the establishment of Sikkim’s first environmentally friendly “State-of-the-art Gas-Based Animal Cremation Furnace System (CFS)” at Sokaythang under Tadong Circle, Gangtok Sikkim. The cremation system shall be operational by May 2025. The facility is also expected to offer dignified, respectful, and eco-friendly options for pet/animal owners to handle the remains of their deceased animals by offering scientific disposal, cremation services, memorial options, and grief support resources ensuring their pets/animals receive the sympathetic farewell they deserve.