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Odisha is making progress in sustainable development through its Srimandir Waste Management initiative. Jagannath Temple in Puri, fondly known as Srimandir, is now embracing modern solutions to transform its waste into valuable resources like organic compost and biogas. This initiative reflects Odisha’s commitment to environmental sustainability through green waste management.
Puri welcomes over 2 million visitors during the annual Rath Yatra festival. Apart from this bustling activity, the Jagannath Temple generates substantial amounts of green waste daily, a challenge that the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has now turned into an opportunity by launching a waste management facility.
Why Srimandir Odisha’s Waste Management Necessary
The Jagannath Temple, one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites, generates approximately 3 tonnes of green waste every day under normal circumstances. This figure spikes to nearly 5 tonnes during peak festival seasons, such as Rath Yatra, when the influx of devotees surges. This waste primarily consists of discarded holy offerings, including leftover Mahaprasad (sacred food), used flowers, tulasi leaves, and vegetable waste from the temple’s massive kitchen.
Historically, this sacred waste was collected by the Puri municipality and mixed with regular city refuse, including non-vegetarian waste, before being dumped at the Baliapanda yard. This practice, however, raised concerns about the sanctity of the temple offerings and their environmental impact. Recognizing these challenges, the SJTA has introduced a groundbreaking Srimandir Waste Management initiative to process this waste onsite.
The new facility, designed to produce organic compost and biogas, ensures that the sacred waste is handled with reverence while addressing modern waste management needs. According to Arabinda Padhee, the chief administrator of SJTA, this project is a harmonious blend of tradition and sustainability. “The initiative aligns with traditional practices of treating temple offerings with respect while embracing modern waste management solutions,” Padhee stated. This move marks a significant departure from the earlier system, ensuring that sacred materials are no longer mixed with municipal waste.
How Odisha’s Srimandir Converts Waste into Resources
The waste-to-resource facility at Srimandir is a testament to Odisha’s innovative approach to Srimandir Waste Management. The process begins with the collection of green waste, which includes flowers, leaves, and food scraps. This waste is then segregated and fed into the processing unit, where it undergoes decomposition to produce organic compost & generate biogas. The compost will be used in the three massive gardens of the shrine that supply flowers and tulasi for the temple.
The organic compost, rich in nutrients, can be used to enhance soil fertility, while the biogas—a renewable energy source—can power various temple activities or be supplied to nearby communities. The temple’s green waste could potentially yield up to 300-500 kilograms of compost, depending on the composition and processing efficiency.
Additionally, the biogas produced could generate enough energy to meet a portion of the temple’s operational needs, reducing reliance on conventional energy sources. This dual-output system not only minimizes waste but also creates valuable byproducts, showcasing Odisha’s ability to maximize resource efficiency through Srimandir Waste Management.
Impact of Srimandir’s Waste Management on Locals
The Srimandir Waste Management project carries significant environmental implications. For devotees, the respectful disposal of sacred offerings preserves the temple’s spiritual integrity. Environmentally, it reduces the burden on Puri’s Baliapanda dumping yard, which handles the city’s 400 tonnes of daily municipal solid waste by diverting 3-5 tonnes of temple waste.
Odisha’s success with this project could inspire similar efforts in other 3,000 temples across the state. Odisha could process an additional 100-150 tonnes of waste daily, if even 10% of these temples adopted similar Srimandir Waste Management systems. The Srimandir Waste Management facility is more than just a local achievement, it’s a blueprint for green waste management.
