“A ‘natural’ solution”

As I had stated in my earlier letter, "A ‘natural’ solution” (Readers Forum, Parsiana, September 7, 2009), Parsis have always believed in "natural” solutions which respect the ecosystem. Here I suggest some ways in which the perfect eco-Parsi would like to live and die, and make some money as well!

Fire purifies. But, as I had said earlier, fire gives out carbon dioxide which is known to cause global warming. So I suggested we transform carbon-emitting fire temples into "carbon-neutral” ones by planting more trees to absorb CO2 through photosynthesis. As a few friends had voiced some questions, I would like to add an interesting sidelight to this. The trees can be planted in any place where the soil is good and water is available. They can be located in Gujarat or even South India for a fire temple in Maharashtra, because we all live under the same stratosphere.

The perfect eco-Parsi not only prays but also maintains personal cleanliness. He, hopefully, washes his hands every time after using the toilet (helps prevent swine flu too!). A bath is mandatory before prayers. Priests wear white dress to emphasize cleanliness. Padan (a simple cloth mask) is worn while praying to discourage droplet pollution. Of course, much water is needed to keep the eco-Parsi clean. The water hopefully comes from a well, generally a part of any fire temple.

Water generates wastewater. This is conserved by reusing directly in gardening or agriculture. Where fire temples maintain a bull, his urine can also be used directly in gardening or agriculture as it is supposed to be almost sterile! The bull’s dung (along with ours) however, can go to a gobar gas plant and produce biogas for cooking. Bulls also give off a lot of ethane gas each time they belch while chewing the cud. Methane is worse than CO2 for global warming. So, again we need more trees to offset its global warming effect.

In cities, the problem is different because the waste is handled by the local municipality along with other wastes. The Parsis, like other Indians in cities, want "to live like the Americans.” They consume too much fossil fuel by way of electricity in their homes for air-conditioners, lights, TVs and other appliances, as also for transport by cars and airplanes. Instead of changing their lifestyle, they would prefer someone to grow more trees somewhere, if you please!

Finally, the perfect eco-Parsi has to die someday, and his disposal has to be arranged with dignity. Feeding the dead to vultures is fine and generous, and some hope is now happily revived of its continuance because of newly found bearded vultures (from China) which we hope will relish us despite diclofenac and other substances which enter the "food chain” and harm them. Cremation of the dead is favored by some, but it would give off more CO2 gas (50 kg of CO2 per body burnt) and cause more global warming. Burial can be considered, if land is available. Burial also respects ecology (everything back to stable earth). After all there are only a handful of Parsis left now, so not much land would be needed.

Whatever the choice, long live the ecosystem and, hopefully, the eco-Parsi, even if he needs a forest of trees to maintain him! Forests can make money these days. The money comes from growing trees to absorb CO2 and reduce global warming. A German industry has dedicated a large forest area in Germany for absorbing atmospheric CO2 through photosynthesis (a single tree can absorb one ton of CO2 over its lifetime. In tropical India, some reports even state 2.5 tons). The German forest is recognized by a United Nations sponsored agency for giving "carbon credits” and compensated at the rate of eight euros per ton of CO2 saved per year, which is the going rate.

Thus, if you have a large plot of land, just grow trees on it and earn good money in these times. Is any punchayet listening? SOLI ARCEIVALA

Former chief, environmental health, WHO/UN South East Asia Region

solijal@mtnl.net.in