Date:15/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/15/stories/2007101574000400.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

“Biogas must be a solution to manage solid waste”

Staff Reporter

PHOTO: R. SHIVAJI RAO

EXPO ON CLIMATE: Social Welfare Minister Poongothai Aladi Aruna at an exhibition on global warming in Chennai on Saturday. —

Chennai: The State government must promote biogas production from organic waste as a solution to manage solid waste, voluntary organisation Exnora International’s founder M.B. Nirmal said here on Saturday.

Exnora’s experience with biogas projects at the community level in Erode and Tiruchi districts had shown that a significant portion of local energy requirements can be met through this method, Mr. Nirmal said at a seminar on global warming and the importance of waste management.

Anaerobic bacteria can break down or digest organic material in the absence of oxygen and produce biogas as a waste product.

This can be used as cooking fuel and for power generation.

“Vivekananda Kendra has designed a biogas unit that would be affordable if mass produced,” said Mr. Nirmal. Exnora plans to display biogas units, compost bins of various shapes and sizes and home gardening containers in its T. Nagar office to encourage people to manage solid waste at the household level.

Social Welfare Minister Poongothai Aladi Aruna inaugurated the seminar and an exhibition on global warming at RKM Sarada Vidyalaya Girls Higher Secondary School. S. Indra Kumar, senator, Exnora International, and Sultan Ismail, director of Eco Science Research Foundation, spoke on different methods of composting biodegradable waste.