A recently launched initiative by the Government of India promises to turn waste into wealth, fostering a circular economy for the country’s future. This project, called the Unified Registration Portal for GOBARdhan, aims to facilitate the establishment of Biogas/Compressed Biogas (CBG) plants across the nation.
The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) and the Ministry of Jal Shakti are behind this innovative development that targets the Biogas/CBG sector at a pan-India level. It enables any government, cooperative, or private entity intending to set up a Biogas/CBG/Bio CNG plant in India to register and earn benefits from various Ministries and Departments of the Government of India.
Significance and Advantages of GOBARdhan
The inception of the portal demonstrates cooperative federalism, promoting collaboration between central Ministries, line departments of the Centre, State, and stakeholders. The Union Minister of Jal Shakti highlights the significant achievements in waste generation through over 650 GOBARdhan plants and the unified registration portal.
The portal also fosters an ease of doing business, attracting greater investment from private players in the Biogas/CBG sector. Additionally, it aligns with India’s climate action goals and contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Government of India’s Mission LiFE.
Enhancing the Biogas Supply Chain
The Union Government aims to strengthen the CBG/Biogas supply chain through biomass aggregation, grid pipeline connectivity, organic farming practices, research and development, and continuous engagement with stakeholders.
Introduction to GOBARdhan
Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBARdhan) is a key initiative of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India. It was launched in 2018 as a national priority project under the Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen-Phase II program.
The objective of GOBARdhan is to help villages handle cattle waste and agricultural waste safely. It promotes environmental sanitation, curbs vector-borne diseases through effective waste disposal in rural areas and converts organic waste into biogas and fertilizer.
Potential Benefits of GOBARdhan
The initiative brings with it several potential benefits ranging from effective biodegradable waste management and reduction of GHG emission to employment opportunities for local communities and promotion of organic farming.
The scheme also models individual households, communities, clusters, and commercial CBG. Each model comes with its own set of advantages such as increased income for farmers, boosting entrepreneurship, and providing alternative sources of energy.
Challenges in Disposing of Discarded Solid Waste
A question in the UPSC Civil Services Examination questioned the difficulties encountered in disposing of significant amounts of discarded solid waste that are continuously being generated and how to remove toxic wastes accumulating in our habitable environment safely. The GOBARdhan initiative addresses these issues by promoting safe and effective waste disposal and managing toxic materials effectively.
