The Kolhapur Zilla Parishad, with its one lakh biogas plants, might well become the first local civic body in the Maharashtra to earn carbon credits. Officials have begun preparations to count the district's carbon footprint, which will pave the way to apply for carbon credits.
The carbon credits are awarded for saving emission of greenhouse gases and implementing eco-friendly technology. With the ample grazing land and abundant water, Kolhapur residents have traditionally reared large number of cattle, with the district now counting for 5.25 lakh cattle. The dung, which would otherwise be dumped or burnt, has been used over the last few years to generate biogas.
As many private agencies in the state have earned carbon credit for use of sustainable energy, officials at the Kolhapur Zilla Parishad decided that they could also earn carbon credit taking into consideration the large number of biogas plants in the district. Officials said that the use of biogas has considerably reduced the use of wood and felling of trees for fuel. "We will soon take up a drive to measure the carbon footprint of the district. The procedure would create a ground for us to apply for carbon credits," said Dinesh Doke, additional chief executive officer of Kolhapur ZP. The district administration has not yet finalised the agency which will count the carbon footprint. Meanwhile, the ZP will undertake a review of the biogas plants in the district and their functioning.
The ZP has managed to set up as many as one lakh family biogas plants which are used for cooking purpose. The plants are set up for a family of four through an initial government subsidy of Rs 4,000. The detailed project report prepared by experts for Kolhapur ZP has mentioned that a house should have at least 3-5 cattle that would generate at least 30 kg of dung apart from other agricultural waste. Doke said, "The combustion of biogas results in the release of carbon dioxide, which is used by plants for photosynthesis. The release of methane from the decomposition of agricultural waste, remains of dry plants and grass and the cow dung pose a threat to the environment. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas because of its warming effect."
The biogas plants have resulted in huge saving of fuels such as kerosene and LPG cylinders. "If we succeed in earning some carbon credits, it will be an additional source of income for farmers. Plus, the popularity would inspire other regions to follow and adopt the concept," he said.
P D Raut, professor of environmental science at Shivaji University, Kolhapur said, "It is true that methane is more hazardous than carbon dioxide. For biogas operators, recognition like carbon credit is important. It encourages society to adopt eco-friendly approach."
As many as 40 villages in Kolhapur, mainly from Radhanagari, Bhudargad and Panhala tehsils, have been using only biogas for the last few years. Every village has a population of 2,000 and most of the families have set up biogas plants.
Somnath Powar, a farmer from Shahuwadi tehsil, said, "I have realised the benefits of biogas plant. It has reduced my expenditure on kerosene or other fuels. We do not have to collect wood or look for dried branches to be used as fuel for cooking. I find the biogas unit useful as it is a one time investment and raw material is generated from time to time at my place."
A biogas unit needs 30 kg dung a day and it provides sufficient fuel for a family of four, who can cook food and the fuel can also be used for purposes. Since the milk dairies in the region offer good rates, farmers are keen to raise cattle. The milk produced has higher nutritional values and in turn fetches better returns for the farmers.
Vijay Ajagekar, agriculture officer at Kolhapur Zilla Parishad said, "These tehsils have good fodder available in abundance; hence people are rearing cattle for a long period. Milk production offers good returns and the large number of cattle means that a huge amount of dung is generate every day. Not entire dung can be used as fertiliser. Instead of letting open decomposition of dung, the government has come up with a scientific way of decomposition and using the biogas as fuel for cooking."
