Concrete graves a hazard to us all
Jan 26, 2006
I write in support of my colleague Cyril Mugyenyi, District Environment Officer of Bushenyi (New Vision, January 19) about concrete graves which have become fashionable.
I write in support of my colleague Cyril Mugyenyi, District Environment Officer of Bushenyi (New Vision, January 19) about concrete graves which have become fashionable.
The effects of concrete graves are not only environmental but ecological, social and economic. To this is added the metallic and glass coffins all in the name of a “decent†burial of a loved one.
Mankind depends on land (and resources therein such as minerals)and, therefore, soil.
In soil biology we learn about movement of air, water and soil organisms along with vital nutrients for both plant and animal growth in the soil. These are important for agriculture and pasture production for livestock or trees for timber. The decomposition of the dead is part of the recycling of important nutrients back to the soil or part of the formation of important minerals like carbonates for lime, natural gases and oil all of which are very important in our economies.
Therefore, with these concrete graves and metallic or glass coffins the natural life support systems (movement of air, water and soil organisms) both underground and on the surface are greatly interfered with and with time if unchecked we shall begin to feel the impact. Not only are nutrients locked up but vital minerals and gases as well.
Due to our cultural beliefs in many areas, even cultivating near a grave is not acceptable and yet in most areas we do not even bury in one place. Graves are scattered in every homestead and therefore increasing on land fragmentation and social stigma. In many cultures people believe in existence of spirits and usually associate them with bad omen. Majority of people are not free anywhere near known graves or tombs even if they are for their loved ones. Now these permanent marks in form of concrete will identity the graves forever!
The conservation and environment agencies (wetlands, forests, national parks and wildlife reserves, NEMA) are always being accused of being anti-development and denying people land for settlement and cultivation. But unless some of the extravagant and hazardous uses of land and land use practices are checked by deliberate policy and law, the clamour for degazzetement of lands set aside for conservation of nature and for production shall continue to our own detriment.
.Land has already become a big campaign tool in the ongoing presidential and parliamentary campaigns in areas neighbouring conservation areas, which is exacerbating conflict. President Yoweri Museveni has had to intervene many times to either provide constructive advice or actually save the situation. May I remind readers that nature-based tourism is the leading foreign exchange earner in all three East African countries ahead of agricultural crops and minerals, and still has more potential.
With a population growth rate of 3.6% per annum and the growing fashion of concrete graves and other concrete developments, the available land for settlement and agriculture keeps reducing. In many cultures in Uganda, it is taboo to build a house on a known grave and worse still that of a relative.
It must also be noted that concrete graves (some with tiles) and metallic (gold or silver) or glass coffins are quite expensive. These items sometimes even attract break-ins into the graves! Although my colleague Mugyenyi complains about use of wood for coffins, at least it is biodegradable and it is also renewable.
The environmental hazards of concrete graves can well be equated to that of polythene bags commonly called kavera. Already our neighbours in Rwanda have passed national legislation against the use of kavera.
In many countries there are either designated areas as cemeteries and the graves can be reused after some time or the remains are cremated. The above two methods save those who remain alive the social stigma and daily memories, are relatively cheaper and more ecologically friendly.
In most of the Ugandan cultures there were elaborate ways in which our dead were honoured and buried decently without the current extravaganza and hazardous paraphernalia. Take the bark cloth as an example. It was and still is perfect burial material directly into the soil in line with religious dogma of “from soil, back to soil.†Certainly the practice of the Muslims is perfect. A lot of money can be saved that can be put to good use by the family members who remain alive and at the same time allow the natural process to recycle the nutrients to our benefit and that of posterity.
Mugyenyi's call reminded me of renowned environmental journalist and award winner, the late Sir Ndyakira Amooti, of his will not to be buried in a coffin and concrete grave which was honoured. How I wish those who bury us could emulate him.
Ends
The effects of concrete graves are not only environmental but ecological, social and economic. To this is added the metallic and glass coffins all in the name of a “decent†burial of a loved one.
Mankind depends on land (and resources therein such as minerals)and, therefore, soil.
In soil biology we learn about movement of air, water and soil organisms along with vital nutrients for both plant and animal growth in the soil. These are important for agriculture and pasture production for livestock or trees for timber. The decomposition of the dead is part of the recycling of important nutrients back to the soil or part of the formation of important minerals like carbonates for lime, natural gases and oil all of which are very important in our economies.
Therefore, with these concrete graves and metallic or glass coffins the natural life support systems (movement of air, water and soil organisms) both underground and on the surface are greatly interfered with and with time if unchecked we shall begin to feel the impact. Not only are nutrients locked up but vital minerals and gases as well.
Due to our cultural beliefs in many areas, even cultivating near a grave is not acceptable and yet in most areas we do not even bury in one place. Graves are scattered in every homestead and therefore increasing on land fragmentation and social stigma. In many cultures people believe in existence of spirits and usually associate them with bad omen. Majority of people are not free anywhere near known graves or tombs even if they are for their loved ones. Now these permanent marks in form of concrete will identity the graves forever!
The conservation and environment agencies (wetlands, forests, national parks and wildlife reserves, NEMA) are always being accused of being anti-development and denying people land for settlement and cultivation. But unless some of the extravagant and hazardous uses of land and land use practices are checked by deliberate policy and law, the clamour for degazzetement of lands set aside for conservation of nature and for production shall continue to our own detriment.
.Land has already become a big campaign tool in the ongoing presidential and parliamentary campaigns in areas neighbouring conservation areas, which is exacerbating conflict. President Yoweri Museveni has had to intervene many times to either provide constructive advice or actually save the situation. May I remind readers that nature-based tourism is the leading foreign exchange earner in all three East African countries ahead of agricultural crops and minerals, and still has more potential.
With a population growth rate of 3.6% per annum and the growing fashion of concrete graves and other concrete developments, the available land for settlement and agriculture keeps reducing. In many cultures in Uganda, it is taboo to build a house on a known grave and worse still that of a relative.
It must also be noted that concrete graves (some with tiles) and metallic (gold or silver) or glass coffins are quite expensive. These items sometimes even attract break-ins into the graves! Although my colleague Mugyenyi complains about use of wood for coffins, at least it is biodegradable and it is also renewable.
The environmental hazards of concrete graves can well be equated to that of polythene bags commonly called kavera. Already our neighbours in Rwanda have passed national legislation against the use of kavera.
In many countries there are either designated areas as cemeteries and the graves can be reused after some time or the remains are cremated. The above two methods save those who remain alive the social stigma and daily memories, are relatively cheaper and more ecologically friendly.
In most of the Ugandan cultures there were elaborate ways in which our dead were honoured and buried decently without the current extravaganza and hazardous paraphernalia. Take the bark cloth as an example. It was and still is perfect burial material directly into the soil in line with religious dogma of “from soil, back to soil.†Certainly the practice of the Muslims is perfect. A lot of money can be saved that can be put to good use by the family members who remain alive and at the same time allow the natural process to recycle the nutrients to our benefit and that of posterity.
Mugyenyi's call reminded me of renowned environmental journalist and award winner, the late Sir Ndyakira Amooti, of his will not to be buried in a coffin and concrete grave which was honoured. How I wish those who bury us could emulate him.
Ends