Toxicologist says mahayagya will purify air, greens differ

MEERUT: The ongoing nine-day mahayagya at Bhainsali ground here would help purify the air in the vicinity, said a leading toxicologist here, even as the green brigade criticised the exercise.

Prof SVS Rana, former vice chancellor of Bundelkhand University and a toxicologist, said that yagya fumes acted as air purifier because mango wood was burnt with pure ghee and other substances.

He said the benefits of yagya for environment were also mentioned in detail in the Vedas and research also found it good for improving air quality.

Pt Charandatt Katyal is coordinator of this mahayagya which has been organized as part of navratri rituals. Over 600 saints from different parts of the country are participating in the yagya.

Roopak Aggarawal, associated with the yagya, said that more than 200 quintal wood of mango trees would be used in 108 kundas along with 1000 kg pure ghee and other substances useful for environment..

CRITICS SAY THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL HAD BANNED BURNING FARM RESIDUALS WHICH DETERIORATED AIR QUALITY. SO BURNING OF SO MUCH WOOD SHOULD ALSO BE STOPPED

However, critics said burning of so much wood would have an adverse effect on the environment.

They said the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had banned burning farm residuals which deteriorated air quality. So burning of so much wood should also be stopped.

Trashing the claims, Roopak Aggarwal said even Nasa had accepted the positive effects of yagya on the atmosphere.

He said that thinning of ozone gas layer due to green house effect was much lower in India than in other countries and the effect of yagya was believed to be behind this.