Researcher moots utilisation of horse manure to save power at BTC

By Alladi Jayasri

BANGALORE, JULY 14. Every so often, the bogey of shifting the Race Course to the outskirts of the City looms over the fate of thousands of potential rags-to-riches tales. Even the Chief Minister, Mr. S.M.Krishna, in his Budget speech, announced plans to make this happen, raising the hopes of the green lobby that the 70-acre open space could soon become a badly needed carbon sink for pollution-choked Bangalore.

Meanwhile, an interesting study by the Karnataka Cleaner Production Centre, initiated in 1998 for Bangalore Turf Club, where on an average, 1,000 horses are stabled at any time, has come up with ideas on resource conservation and energy, water and firewood, and the effective utilisation of by-products and waste (horse manure). The study considered a system for recharging the groundwater in the turf club complex.

Mr. Johann Solomon, research officer with KCPC, said the goal of the exercise was to factor in the role of efficient environment management systems (EMS), apart from training workers in EMS.

KCPC has suggested ways to reduce consumption of diesel, electricity and water and is offering know-how to recharge the groundwater. It has suggested an alternative fuel for canteen stoves in place of firewood.

If all goes well, BTC will convert the copious quantities of horsedung into bio-fertiliser, instead of wondering how to dispose of this ``waste material'', Mr. Solomon said.

After a thorough study, KCPC concluded that the diesel generator sets could be operated with a better load factor and rationalised operation place which can save 59,951 litres of diesel annually, which costs Rs. 6.91 lakhs.

The borewells are over exploited, and KCPC has suggested reduction of about 84 hours lf pumping operation time per day will lead to savings of 1.25 KW of electricity every year, which costs Rs. 6.22 lakhs.

Rainwater harvesting is also strongly suggested, and KCPC has recommended a trial permeation filter pit to be constructed at strategic location near a borewell so that recharging capability can be studied this rainy season.

KCPC has urged the BTC to form a Waste Minimisation Task Force, which will, among other things, examine the suggestions of KCPC for environment management and efficient use of resources at the race course.

An audit of all solid wastes, their generation, and disposal, will be taken up by the task force, to see if the suggestion of KCPC to replace firewood with agro briquettes made from horse manure is feasible.

The other measures, include re-arranging lighting layouts and choosing energy efficient lamps, apart from auto energy lamps and auto switches.

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