Pune: Animal Cremations Halted in Katraj Over Foul Odor
Pune, 7th December 2024: The cremation of dead animals at the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park in Katraj has been halted following complaints from residents about a strong odor and excessive smoke in the area. The issue arose after the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) animal crematorium at Naidu Hospital was temporarily shut for urgent repairs. Now, the dead animals will be sent to the Pimpri-Chinchwad crematorium as an alternative.
In Pune, approximately 10 to 12 animals die daily, requiring proper disposal. The crematorium at Naidu Hospital, operated by PMC’s Electrical Department, handles nearly 6,000 to 6,500 animal cremations annually. However, the facility had to be closed for 15 days due to damage to its brick-lined cremation chamber, necessitating immediate repairs.
As an interim measure, the PMC permitted the cremation of animals at the crematorium located within the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park. However, this arrangement led to an increase in foul odors and smoke, prompting numerous complaints from local residents and former corporator Vasant More. Additionally, the zoo management wrote directly to Municipal Commissioner Dr. Rajendra Bhosale, requesting an immediate halt to animal cremations at the facility to preserve the sanctity and regulations of the zoo.
Following these developments, Dr. Bhosale issued orders to cease external animal cremations at the zoo. “We have stopped the cremation of animals at the zoo as per the commissioner’s directive. For now, dead animals from Pune will be sent to the crematorium in Pimpri-Chinchwad as an alternative arrangement,” said PMC Health Chief Dr Nayana Borade.
She further stated that repairs at the Naidu Hospital crematorium are almost complete, and the facility is expected to resume operations within a few days. Until then, the temporary arrangement with Pimpri-Chinchwad will remain in place.
