Ditch wood burning, switch to Gau-Kasht this Holika Dahan

Bhopal: This Holi, switch to Gau-Kashth (a mix of cow dung and powdered wood), as opposed to the traditional wood burning. From a modest initiative launched in the Bhopal district in 2018, the push using Gau-Kashth is gaining traction ahead of the festival of colours this year. A wood-like biofuel made by compressing cow dung into solid blocks using machines, Gau-Kasht is turning a common rural practice in Madhya Pradesh into an efficient, eco-friendly resource. It is available in the market for Rs 10-15 per kg. In Bhopal alone, it saves 2,000–2,250 trees from being felled for Holika Dahan. The campaign seeks an end to the traditional practice of burning about 12 quintals of wood during Holika Dahan, spiking air pollution while also resulting in the indiscriminate felling of trees in the Madhya Pradesh capital. Led by the Gau-Kashth Promotion and Environment Protection Committee, the effort promotes this clean, renewable substitute sourced from gaushalas (cow shelters) and sold affordably.Gau-Kashth usage surged to 4,800 quintals across the district in 2025, up significantly from previous years. Ahead of Holika Dahan this year, the group has set a target of pushing the sale of this environmentally sustainable biofuel to 6,000 quintals. "We have fused cultural festivity with environmental action," Yogendra Saxena, a Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) scientist, dubbed as India's ‘Gau-Kashth Man' for his lifelong mission to convert cow dung into fuel.Saxena's tests under controlled conditions revealed Gau-Kashth'S manifold advantage: particulate matter 43.9% lower, sulfur dioxide 55.18% lower, nitric oxide 14.96% lower, and carbon monoxide 24.80% lower than wood, resulting in an overall pollution reduction by 35%. "The more Gau-Kashth we use, the less wood we burn, thereby saving trees and cleansing the air of pollution," Mamtesh Sharma, a committee member, told TOI.Gaushalas also mint profit from the sale of these environment-friendly cow dung cakes, resulting in a win-win for all. Residents showed significant enthusiasm and interest in purchasing this biofuel ahead of Holika Dahan last year, giving much-needed momentum to the sustainability campaign.