Goverdhan temples asked to recycle milk for irrigation, other purposes | Times Of India

Agra:The Mathura administration has asked the management of four temples in Goverdhan to install ETPs (environment treatment plant) within five days or face legal proceedings. The temples have been directed to recycle milk that is being offered to the deities. The directions came after these temple committees repeatedly failed to comply with the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) order to stop milk from flowing into drains.

Sub-divisional magistrate D P Singh said, “An order was issued on May 9 after temple managements failed to comply with the green tribunal’s order. The ETPs will convert milk into water that can be used for irrigation and other purposes. On an average, over 1 lakh litres of milk are offered every month at Giriraj. Many large temples allow it to flow into drains, leading to unpleasant odour.”

According to officials, notices have been served at the Mukut Mukharvind temple, Danghati temple, Hargokul temple and Mukharvind Jatipura. The temple managements have been given time till May 14 to comply with the order.

The NGT was informed by an NGO ‘Giriraj Parikrama Sanrakshan’ about wastage of milk that takes place in the sacred site. It had earlier also approached the tribunal about municipal waste that was being dumped on the pilgrimage centre and the administration’s failure in stopping it. Singh said that the next hearing of the case in NGT is slated on May 16.