GOBARdhan Scheme: Transforming Organic Waste into Clean Energy

#GS-3 #Environment #Sustainable Development #Economy #Infrastructure #Agriculture #SBM-G #GOBARdhan #Compressed Biogas

Key takeaways

The GOBARdhan scheme was launched in 2018 under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen (SBM-G) framework by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Districts receive up to Rs 50 lakh per district funding for biogas plants under SBM-G Phase II during 2020-21 to 2026-27.
The scheme targets a 10-fold boost in Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) production using animal dung and crop waste.
Successful implementation will save Rs 40,000 crore in fuel imports and add Rs 75,000 crore to GDP.
The program expects to create 1.5 lakh jobs and support farmers in becoming Urjadatas.

India aims to boost Compressed Biogas (CBG) production by converting farm and organic waste into clean domestic fuel through the GOBARdhan scheme.

The government launched this initiative in 2018 under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen (SBM-G) framework.
The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti serves as the main nodal agency for the SBM-G part.
The core objective is to process cattle dung and biodegradable waste into biogas, Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG), and organic manure.
Plants use animal dung, crop residue, kitchen food waste, and various organic materials as feedstock.
Under SBM-G Phase II, the scheme acts as a major solid waste management component to help villages handle biodegradable waste.
Districts can receive financial help of up to Rs 50 lakh per district for community biogas plants from 2020-21 to 2026-27.
The program encourages Gram Panchayats and local bodies to set up decentralized waste-to-energy units.
This effort aims to increase CBG production by 10-fold while replacing imported fuel with home-grown energy.
The initiative can cut fuel import bills by over Rs 40,000 crore and add more than Rs 75,000 crore to India's GDP.
It has the potential to create over 1.5 lakh jobs across rural areas.
Farmers get new earning sources by turning waste into fuel and fertilizer, helping them turn from Annadatas to Urjadatas.