Mango Wood Burning: Reducing Pollution Or Just A Myth?

In 2018, members of the Hindu group Shri Ayutchandi Mahayagya Samiti burned 50,000 kg of mango wood in Meerut, India, over nine days, claiming it would reduce pollution. The event, called a mahayagya or mahayagna, involved 350 priests chanting mantras and making offerings of ghee, milk, jaggery, and flowers to a sacred fire. While the group's vice president, Girish Bansal, claimed that the ritual would purify the air, pollution control boards and experts disagreed, stating that burning wood would only increase air pollution. This incident sparked debates about the role of religious practices in environmental issues and the need for scientific evidence to support such claims.

The scientific impact of burning mango wood

The practice of burning mango wood is often associated with the Hindu ritual of "mahayagya" or "yagna," which is believed to purify the air and reduce pollution. However, the scientific community has a different perspective on the impact of burning mango wood. In this article, we will explore the scientific findings and evidence regarding the impact of burning mango wood on the environment.

Air Pollution and Health Risks

Burning wood, including mango wood, releases various pollutants into the atmosphere. According to the World Health Organization, burning one kilogram of wood releases approximately 403 grams of carbon dioxide (CO2). When a large quantity of wood, such as 50,000 kilograms, is burned, it can result in the emission of over 20,000 kilograms of CO2 into the air. Additionally, the burning of mango wood can release other harmful pollutants, including carbon monoxide and particulate matter. These pollutants can have significant health implications for humans, particularly in areas with already poor air quality, such as Meerut in India, where a "mahayagya" event took place.

Ozone Layer and Atmospheric Impact

Proponents of burning mango wood as a pollution reduction method often cite the belief that frequent "yagnas" or rituals have led to the ozone layer above India being the least damaged. However, scientific evidence contradicts this claim. The ozone layer is crucial for protecting life on Earth by absorbing harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. The release of pollutants from burning wood can have a detrimental effect on the ozone layer, potentially leading to its depletion and increased UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface. This can have far-reaching consequences for human health, ecosystems, and the climate.

Scientific Evidence and Research

Girish Bansal, vice president of the Shri Ayutchandi Mahayagya Samiti, the organization behind the "mahayagya" event, acknowledged that there is no scientific evidence to support the claim that burning mango wood reduces pollution. He attributed the belief to Hindu scriptures and the lack of research conducted in this area. It is important to note that the absence of evidence does not equate to evidence of absence. While religious and spiritual beliefs hold significance for many, it is essential to approach environmental and scientific issues with a critical and evidence-based mindset.

Religious rituals and pollution

In Hinduism, for example, the concept of ritual purity and pollution is deeply ingrained. Hindu priests perform elaborate rituals, such as the 'mahayagya' or 'hawan', which involve burning large quantities of mango wood along with other offerings like ghee, milk, and rice. These rituals are believed to purify the air and reduce pollution, despite concerns from pollution control boards. Hinduism also has specific rules of impurity, such as the 'sūtaka', which dictate social isolation and ritual purification after childbirth.

Other religions, such as Islam, Judaism, and Indigenous American religions, also have their own rituals related to pollution and purification. In Islam, ritual purification is a crucial aspect of preparing for prayer, and it involves specific ablutions and washings. Indigenous American religions may use saunas or "sweatlodge" as a form of ritual purification before other ceremonies.

Ritual uncleanliness or impurity is a concern in many cultures and religions. For example, in Japan, sumo wrestlers consider their ring to be sacred, and women are not permitted to enter as their touch is believed to cause ritual uncleanliness. Similarly, in certain Chinese sub-cultures and among some South American Indians, death pollution is a significant concern, requiring mourners to undergo purification rituals.

While some religious rituals aim to reduce pollution, others have been criticised for causing pollution themselves. For instance, the burning of large quantities of wood in Hindu rituals has been criticised by pollution control boards, who assert that it will lead to increased air pollution. However, practitioners defend these rituals, citing their religious scriptures and beliefs.

Overall, the relationship between religious rituals and pollution is complex and multifaceted, with different religions and cultures having their own unique perspectives and practices surrounding the concepts of purity and pollution.

Pollution control board's response

The Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) has stated that the ritual of burning mango wood will lead to more pollution. RK Tyagi, the regional officer of the UPPCB, told the Times of India:

> Burning such large quantities of wood will definitely cause pollution. But there is no policy under which a probe can be issued in this matter—so there is little that we can do. It will also be inappropriate for me to comment on the event.

The UPPCB's response has been criticised for its inaction, with some arguing that the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, empowers the state pollution control board to take action. The Act states:

• The state pollution control board has the power to take samples of the air or the emission from any outlet in the state.
• The Board can also conduct a search of any place in which there is reason to believe that an offence under this Act is being committed.
• The Board has the power to make an application in court for restraining any person from causing air pollution.

Despite the criticism, the UPPCB has refused to intervene in the matter, citing the religious nature of the event.

Air quality in Meerut

The air quality in Meerut, a city in the western part of India's Uttar Pradesh province, is a cause for concern. In 2016, the metropolitan area was estimated to be home to just over 1.5 million people.

As is the case in many South Asian cities, vehicle emissions and industry are the main sources of air pollution in Meerut. Vehicular emissions remain constant throughout the year, while other sources, such as the burning of biomass and agricultural residues, occur at specific times. Older, more polluting vehicles that are no longer permitted in Delhi due to stricter laws are often sold to residents of smaller cities like Meerut, where regulations are more relaxed. Heavy trucks are banned from entering Meerut's inner city during daylight hours, but this rule is frequently flouted. Unlike in Delhi, where public transport is legally required to use Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), diesel-powered vehicles are still common in Meerut. Industries in the city also lack the filters and cleaners that are mandated in Delhi.

The situation is further exacerbated by practices in the surrounding rural areas, where large numbers of people burn polythene and tyres to cook sugarcane, leading to increased carbon monoxide levels. Despite intensive monitoring of industrial units, road dust, generators, and brick kilns, pollution levels remain high.

The air quality index (AQI) in Meerut is often in the "moderate" range, but this can still have negative health impacts, particularly for sensitive groups. Prolonged exposure to the air pollution in Meerut can lead to respiratory issues, eye and throat irritation, coughing, and aggravated asthma. The fine particulate matter in the air, with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers, can enter the lungs and bloodstream, resulting in serious health issues, including respiratory diseases and heart problems.

During the religious festival of Diwali, the local government banned firecrackers to improve air quality, and a significant improvement in the AQI was observed. To further enhance the air quality in Meerut, it is recommended that vehicles are regularly serviced and fuelled with high-quality gasoline. However, more affordable options, such as converting stoves to LPG or electricity, may be out of reach for many residents.

In a rather unusual attempt to improve air quality, members of the Shri Ayutchandi Mahayagya/Mahayagna Samiti organised a nine-day Hindu ritual, or 'mahayagya'/ 'mahayagna', during which 350 priests burned 50,000 kilograms of mango wood, along with other offerings. While the organisers believed that the ritual would purify the air, officials of the pollution control board stated that it would only worsen air pollution. The ritual also included the burning of 12,000 kilograms of sesame, 6,000 kilograms of rice, 2,500 kilograms of jaggery, 51 tins of desi ghee, and three trolleys of cow dung cakes.

Religious practices vs. environmental impact

In March 2018, a Hindu body, the Shri Ayutchandi Mahayagya Samiti, organised a nine-day-long 'mahayagya' or 'mahayagna' in Meerut, India, to "reduce pollution". The event involved burning 500 quintals (50,000 kg) of mango wood, along with other offerings, over nine days. This ritual was performed by 350 priests or Brahmins, who chanted mantras and offered ghee, milk, jaggery, flowers, sesame seeds, rice, barley, and cow dung cakes to the sacred fire.

The organisers, including Girish Bansal, vice president of the Shri Ayutchandi Mahayagya Samiti, and Gyanendra Agarwal, the group's president, justified the event by citing Hindu scriptures, which state that yagyas or hawans lead to the purification of the air and the removal of pollution. They claimed that burning mango wood after pouring ghee made from cow's milk helps reduce pollution and that there is no scientific evidence to contradict this as no research has been conducted. Agarwal also asserted that the ozone layer above India is the least damaged due to the frequent performance of yagyas.

However, the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) and environmental experts disagreed with these claims. RK Tyagi, the regional officer of the UPPCB, stated that burning such large quantities of wood would definitely cause pollution, but they chose not to intervene due to the religious nature of the event and the lack of a specific policy to address it. Meghnad Bose, a journalist, calculated that burning 50,000 kg of wood would release significant amounts of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter into the atmosphere, worsening air quality.

This incident highlights a tension between religious practices and environmental concerns. On the one hand, religious rituals and beliefs hold significant weight in society, and interfering with them can be controversial and challenging. On the other hand, scientific evidence suggests that certain religious practices, such as burning large quantities of wood, can have detrimental effects on the environment.

In this case, the religious group's belief in the purifying effects of the ritual led them to organise a large-scale event that likely contributed to air pollution. While the UPPCB acknowledged the potential for pollution, they felt constrained by the lack of policy and the sensitivity of interfering with religious practices. This situation underscores the complex interplay between religious freedom and environmental protection, requiring careful consideration and potentially innovative solutions to balance these important societal values.

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