June 11: Last week, the Cabinet announced that the government will give a major face lift to the crematorium in Thimphu and the one in Hongtsho. The residents in Hongtsho have welcomed the news but there are a few residents who feel that the crematorium should be relocated.

Hongtsho is located about an hour’s drive from Thimphu town towards Dochula. Just below the highway in Hongtsho is the Nyingmapa crematorium. It was established by Lam Sonam Zangpo decades ago but now some of the residents want the crematorium relocated. They said the crematorium is not well maintained and the cleanliness around the area leaves a lot to be desired.

A resident told BBS that people don’t burn the bodies properly. This they said is disturbing deities and hampering their crops. Moreover, they said the bodies are not even buried properly. On most occasions, dogs dig up body parts and bring to the neighbourhood.

The majority of the residents said the crematorium should be kept but they agreed it should be properly fenced and maintained.

Those who said the crematorium should be removed were residents living nearby who had to occasionally witnessed body parts being brought to their doorsteps by dogs.

The Chang Gup Kanjur said there is a need to look into the matter.

The announcement by the Cabinet Ministers to upgrade the crematorium is welcomed by most residents but they said proper facilities should be provided.