The Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University, Faizabad, on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the famous Naka Hanuman Garhi temple, Faizabad, for collection of floral waste from the temple for producing exotic itra (traditional, natural perfume), incense sticks and fertilisers.

The university would collect the floral waste for this purpose, said Mahant Ramdas of the temple after signing the MoU.

Prof Manoj Dixit, vice chancellor of Avadh University, said the university will soon help recycle bio degradable refuse into exotic itra (traditional natural perfume), incense sticks and even scented havan ingredients.

Devotees offer about 200 kg flowers and 50 kg tulsi (basil leaves) at the temple every Tuesday and Saturday.

They offer 50 kg flowers on the remaining five days.

Mahant Ramdas said he was delighted that the university had come forward to sign this pact with the temple as it was becoming difficult to dispose of such a large volume of floral waste.

“We are happy that students will collect the floral waste and produce itra out of the flower juice,” he said.

The university had already signed an MoU with the Kannauj-based Fragrance and Flavour Development Centre (FFDC), he added. Production of itra and incense sticks will begin anytime this year, he said.

“We are waiting for the machines to come from Kannauj,” said prof Dixit.

“The students will learn to produce itra from flower juice, incense sticks from dry flowers and fertiliser from leaves. The move will not only help in disposal of floral waste but also generate employment for locals,” said prof Dixit.

The Avadh University has prepared a detailed proposal in association with FFDC, Kannauj, for this purpose. with whom they signed MoU earlier this month.

There were nearly 10,000 big and small temples in Ayodhya that accounted for 10-12 quintal floral waste daily, said Jaswant Singh, professor in environmental sciences department of the university. He is in touch with FFDC for the project.

“The idea is to use discarded flowers and leaves by traditional methods for making fragrance and flavour (itra, incense sticks, etc) with the help of local people and the finished product will be given back to the temples,” he further said.

source:http://www.hindustantimes.com / Hindustan Times / Home> Cities> Lucknow / by Rajeev Mullick, Hindustan Times,Lucknow / August 23rd, 2018