Funds from a fine imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on the State for causing pollution to the Beas and the Sutlej rivers may soon be used in Punjab to encourage eco-management of cattle dung in cowsheds (gaushalas) and dairy farms through vermicomposting, under which biodegradable waste is converted into organic fertilisers with the help of earthworms.
The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has invited applications from interested gaushalas and dairy farms of Punjab through an Expression of Interest. The board will provide technical as well as financial assistance to the selected gaushalas and dairy farms.
The move is aimed at curbing the problem of water pollution caused by the non-scientific disposal of dung and urinal wastewater generated from gaushalas/dairies in the State. The PPCB has proposed to utilise funds from the eco-restoration plan for eco-management and utilisation of cattle dung through vermicomposting, manure making, cattle dung logs/cake etc.
The PPCB plans to use Rs 63 lakh from the eco-restoration plan from the Rs 50 crore penalty imposed by the NGT, a senior PPCB official told The Indian Express.
In 2018, the NGT had slapped a fine of Rs 50 crore on the Punjab government over pollution caused to the Sutlej and the Beas rivers.
According to a PPCB official, the paid fine was divided among departments of the local government, industry, rural development and panchayats and the PPCB, with the local bodies department getting the lion’s share.
The official said departments concerned submitted to the NGT, seeking the release of the penalty amount while assuring the released funds would be used for the betterment of the environment through the eco-restoration plan.
Subsequently, the official said, departments concerned came up with various projects to utilise the money. “We decided to use our share for the management of cow dung waste through vermicomposting,” the official said.
PPCB chairman Dr Adarsh Pal Vig said, “We will provide funding and technical know-how. If we get a good response, we can provide more funds in addition to Rs 63 lakh earmarked initially.”
Dr Vig, a professor who specialises in vermitechnology, bioactivities of glucosinolates, solid waste management using earthworms and earthworm biodiversity, added, “This eco-management initiative could also help create small entrepreneurs.”
The Expression of Interest inviting applications from gaushalas and dairy farms reads, “Major environmental issues of dairy farms and gaushalas are related to the disposal of dung and urinal wastewater. Poor handling and disposal of dung and wastewater causes water pollution and odour problems. Solid wastes produced from dairy farms and gaushalas are cattle dung, feed residue, etc., which are organic and non-hazardous but require proper handling and disposal. Disposal of cattle dung is the biggest challenge in dairy farms and gaushalas.
However, cattle dung, if effectively utilised, can be a resource of manure and energy. Cattle dung may be used for many purposes i.e. for combustion (dung wood) or for producing biogas or as a soil conditioner or as fertilisers or as material for wall plastering, etc.”
The PPCB has proposed the above-mentioned category-wise eco-management projects depending on the size (small, medium, large) of gaushalas and clusters, and their location.
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