Pact signed to set up biogas plants to utilise dairy waste, Pg4

Key Highlights:

• The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish compressed biogas plants in Delhi.
• The initiative, witnessed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, aims for the scientific utilization of cow dung.
• Its primary goals include preventing cattle dung from polluting the Yamuna river and converting it into Compressed Biogas (CBG) and organic fertilizer.
• The project is expected to increase livestock farmers' income, improve urban cleanliness, and boost organic farming.
• The agreement targets processing waste from approximately 1.25 lakh cattle, with a commitment to ensure no dirty water enters the Yamuna by December 2028.
• Cow dung will be processed at plants located in Nangli, Ghoga-Goyla, and Ghazipur, with farmers receiving ₹1 per kg for their contribution.

Detailed Insights:

• The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, focused on promoting dairy development and farmer-owned organizations.
• The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is one of the world's largest municipal bodies, responsible for providing civic services, including waste management, across most of Delhi.
• This project aligns with the GOBAR-Dhan scheme, launched in 2018 under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), which aims to convert organic waste into valuable resources.
• Compressed Biogas (CBG), a purified form of biogas, is chemically similar to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and serves as a clean, renewable fuel.
• The initiative contributes significantly to the broader efforts for Yamuna river rejuvenation, addressing pollution from various sources including untreated waste.
• By transforming waste into energy and organic manure, the project supports a circular economy model, enhances rural livelihoods, and reduces reliance on fossil fuels.

Key Concepts Involved:

• National Dairy Development Board (NDDB): A statutory body established in 1965 to promote, finance, and support producer-owned dairy cooperative institutions in India.
• Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD): The primary civic body governing most of Delhi, responsible for essential urban services like sanitation and waste management.
• Compressed Biogas (CBG): A renewable fuel produced from organic waste through anaerobic digestion, purified and compressed for use as an alternative to natural gas.
• GOBAR-Dhan Scheme: A government initiative under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) to convert cattle dung and other organic waste into valuable resources like biogas and bio-fertilizers.