Dung deal

Chhattisgarh's plan to purchase cow dung to boost the rural economy, ensure clean villages and solve the problem of stray cattle destroying crops had success initially, but things have not gone as per plan

- VIVEK MISHRA

WE HAVE not run it in a while; that's why it is taking time," says Janak Dhuve, as he heaves at the handle of the rotate-start heavy-duty generator. “It is winters. We do not need to switch on the fans during the day, and there is no one here to use the lights at night,” he says, making another attempt to start the generator. A couple of minutes and a few attempts later, the machine comes to life, bringing the ceiling fan and the LED bulbs alive.

Dhuve is the operator of the biogas power plant at a gauthan (cow shelter) in Bancharoda village of Chhattisgarh's capital city Raipur. The generator at the plant runs on methane produced from the dung collected at the gauthan. The biogas plant at the 3-hectare shelter was inaugurated by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel in October last year under Swachh Bharat Mission, and later made a part of the state's Godhan Nyay Yojana, in force since July 20, 2021.

Godhan Nyay Yojana is the state's flagship scheme to "facilitate rapid strengthening of rural economy” by giving “a boost to dairy business and organic farming” while “improving" the village environment. The government currently operates 7,889 gauthans across the state (see 'Collection network').

The working of gauthans is the responsibility of the local self-governing body. In rural areas, it is run by a 13-member-committee whose office bearers are appointed on the recommendation of the gram sabha. In urban areas the municipal council appoints the committee. Here's how the shelters operate.

People have to register at the area's panchayat/municipality, following which they can take their animals to the shelter in the morning. The shelter provides free fodder, takes care of the cattle through the day, and pays ₹2 per kg for the dung collected. The animal has to be taken back in the evening.