In a pioneering move towards a greener and more self-reliant future, India is actively converting cattle dung into clean, compressed biogas (CBG) to power vehicles and homes. This initiative not only tackles a significant waste problem but also provides a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.
According to a project recently launched in Uttar Pradesh, experts estimate that the annual dung from a single cow can yield enough methane to produce energy equivalent to 225 liters of petrol. Once purified into CBG, this fuel can power a small car for approximately 5,500 kilometers in a year, offering a pollution-free alternative to conventional fuel.
The process, known as anaerobic digestion, breaks down organic waste in sealed tanks to produce biogas. This gas is then upgraded to CBG, a clean fuel chemically similar to compressed natural gas (CNG), which can be used in the same engines. A key by-product of this process, known as digestate, serves as a high-quality organic fertilizer, providing an additional source of income for farmers.
While Uttar Pradesh is now scaling up its efforts, the concept is not new to India. States like Gujarat have been pioneers in this field for years, with large-scale facilities like the one operated by Banas Dairy. The Indian government is actively promoting these projects through schemes like the Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBARdhan) initiative and the Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) program.
Officials believe this “waste-to-wealth” approach will not only reduce the country’s reliance on imported natural gas and cut emissions but also create new jobs in rural areas, strengthening the local economy and promoting a circular, sustainable model of development.
