Cow dung as bio e3- economy, employment and environment. A review
Author(s): Ramakant Goyal, Shuchi Verma and Manvi Vaish
Abstract: This review highlights the importance of cowdung towards economy, employment and environment. Cow dung, one of the most abundant versatile resource has been used in household as a fuel, household material, mosquito repellent and cleaning agent for many centuries. It has been valorised through multiple technological pathways, including anaerobic digestion for biogas/CBG, composting and vermicomposting, briquetting, biochar production, paper and packaging industries, and eco-friendly construction materials. Economical, conversion of cowdung into biogas, organic fertilizers and compressed biofuels find a good cost effective alternative over fossils fuels and opens the door for carbon credits. In terms of employment it provides job opportunities in rural areas, through schemes like GOBAR-DHAN and Godhan Nyay Yojana especially for women’s groups and young entrepreneur. Environmentally, it helps reduce methane release, enhance soil fertility, recycle nutrients, and lower pollution from open dumping and associated health risk. Environmental benefits include methane mitigation, soil fertility enhancement, nutrient recycling, and reduction of open dumping and associated health risks. This study gives step by step Plan for the use of cowdung to be more useful on large scale for jobs, green energy, organic farming and solution of climatic change.
