Waste mgmt the green way: CDRI turns kitchen, garden waste to compost
The machine will be inaugurated on Wednesday along with a 1.2-MW solar power generation plant as part of World Environment Day celebrations by the institute.
'This innovative system processes organic waste from our canteen, hostel, and guest house kitchens by mixing it with horticultural waste such as leaves, grass, and shrubs,' said Radha Rangarajan, director of CDRI. 'It's not just waste disposal, it's resource regeneration.'
The machine, with a daily processing capacity of 500 kg, produces high-quality compost within 24 to 48 hours. It features automated shredding, mixing, and continuous aeration while maintaining an optimal temperature of 60–70°C and moisture levels of 8–10%. This ensures efficient and odour-free decomposition with minimal energy consumption.
Rangarajan added that the compost is used across the institute's gardens and other horticultural activities. 'The machine reduces waste volume by up to 80%, cuts down greenhouse gas emissions, and enriches the soil — directly supporting the work of our horticulture department.'
Sanjeev Yadav, the institute's media coordinator, said that the kitchens preparing food for over 700 people generate significant amounts of organic waste. 'Additionally, the campus's vast green cover produces a large volume of garden waste. This machine helps us handle both responsibly,' he said.
The campus also operates an effluent treatment plant (ETP) for laboratory waste and a sewage treatment plant (STP) for residential and office sewage. Treated water from these facilities is recycled to irrigate the campus's extensive plantations, further boosting its green footprint.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
9 hours ago
- News18
Whale strandings increased tenfold in a decade, says CMFRI study
Kochi, Aug 12 (PTI) Scientists at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) have found a ten-fold increase in whale stranding along the southwest coast of India over the last decade, emphasising the urgent need for region-specific conservation strategies in the wake of climate change. Covering the data from 2004 to 2023, the study revealed a sharp spike in strandings of whales from just 0.3 per cent per year during 2003-2013 to three per cent annually during 2014-2023, due to a range of issues including changes in ocean ecosystems and anthropogenic factors, a CMFRI release here said on Tuesday. Kerala, Karnataka and Goa emerged as the key hotspots for stranding reports, together accounting for the majority of the reported events. High vessel traffic, fishing activity, environmental factors and shallow coastal shelves were identified as the contributing factors. The study highlighted noise pollution, ship strikes, and habitat degradation are elevating risks for this endangered fauna. Social media attention and citizen reporting also helped the increased reporting of the stranding events, it said. The CMFRI study identified Bryde's whale as the most commonly stranded species, with blue whales also occasionally found. The research also observed genetic complexity of Bryde's whales along the Indian coast, confirming that two distinct varieties of the species are present in Indian waters. Shedding light on the worsening trend, the latest primary survey conducted in 2023 alone registered nine whale strandings, the highest in recent years mainly reported between August and November. On the link between whale stranding and environmental indicators, the study found that chlorophyll-a concentration, a marker of ocean productivity during the southwest monsoon, had a positive correlation to whale stranding. This suggests that whales are drawn closer to coastal feeding grounds during the monsoon when nutrient upwelling increases plankton and fish abundance. Sea surface temperature (SST) and rising ocean temperature were causing ecological disruptions that increased the stranding, the study found. Strong converging currents also drag the weak or dead animals to shore. The scientists who carried out the study stressed the need for predictive models that incorporate satellite data on phenomena like chlorophyll, wind pattern and SST to anticipate stranding events, allowing for pre-emptive conservation measures. 'Region-specific conservation strategies are required to address this marine biodiversity threat in one of the country's richest oceanic zones," said Dr R Ratheesh Kumar, lead author of the study which was published in the 'Regional Studies in Marine Science.' Ratheesh is the principal investigator of the national research project on 'Marine Mammal Stock Assessments in India.' The study lays stress on the urgency of building robust marine mammal conservation infrastructure, especially in biodiversity hotspots like the southwest coast. The study recommended real-time alerts and marine megafauna conservation networks, training for fishers and officials and improvement of citizen science platforms for data collection, the release said. PTI MVG MVG ADB view comments First Published: August 12, 2025, 14:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
18 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Pune zoo records India's first wild animal case of deadly MCF virus
The genome of the Malignant Catarrhal Fever (MCF) virus, which records high fatality rates, was detected in a wild animal at the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, Pune, in a first for India. The finding was confirmed by the ICAR–National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal, on July 29, following tests on specimens sent by the Western Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (WRDDL), Pune. While harmless to humans, MCF poses a major threat to wildlife conservation and livestock health. In an August 5 communication, the ministry termed the detection 'a serious concern' as MCF had never before been reported in a wild animal in India. (HT FILE) Between July 6 and 12 this year, 16 spotted deer at the zoo died in a highly contagious viral outbreak. Samples from the dead animals were sent to multiple laboratories for diagnosis. On July 24, reports from the ICAR–National Institute on Foot and Mouth Disease (Bhubaneswar) and NIHSAD (Bhopal) confirmed foot and mouth disease. However, a separate NIHSAD report on July 29 confirmed the presence of the MCF genome in one of the samples. Following this, the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying issued an advisory to state authorities. In an August 5 communication, the ministry termed the detection 'a serious concern' as MCF had never before been reported in a wild animal in India. Caused primarily by Ovine Herpesvirus-2 (OvHV-2), the disease affects wild and domestic ruminants, with sheep and goats serving as symptomless carriers. There is currently no effective treatment or vaccine. The ministry directed Maharashtra's forest and animal husbandry departments to immediately enforce strict biosecurity and movement control measures in and around the zoo, enhance surveillance of susceptible species such as deer, bison, and antelopes, and ensure regular health monitoring with prompt reporting of unusual animal deaths. On August 6, Maharashtra Animal Husbandry Commissioner Dr. Pravinkumar Deore instructed district animal husbandry and forest officials to act swiftly to prevent further spread. His letter reiterated that MCF is a highly fatal disease not previously reported in India and stressed early detection, biosecurity, and inter-agency coordination. Officials were told to remain alert and report any unusual mortalities to the District Deputy Commissioner, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. However, Rajkumar Jadhav, Director of Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, denied that the zoo's animals were affected. 'This illness is generally found in cattle and livestock, and the claim that it has been identified here for the first time is not correct. Since the last reported death, we have implemented all necessary safety measures and vaccinations. The animals are now in healthy condition,' he said. A wildlife expert, requesting anonymity, called the detection 'a serious concern' given the absence of prior records of MCF in Indian wildlife. 'It is a fatal disease, and death can occur within one to three days without timely intervention. Preventive measures are often neglected, but in zoos and rescue centres, keepers and handlers must strictly follow biosafety protocols as they can be carriers of the virus directly or indirectly,' the expert said. What is MCF? Malignant Catarrhal Fever is a rare but deadly viral disease affecting cattle, bison, deer, and other ruminants. It is caused by viruses carried harmlessly by sheep and wildebeest. Transmission occurs through nasal and eye secretions from carriers, but the disease does not infect humans. Symptoms in affected animals include high fever, nasal and eye discharge, mouth sores, and rapid deterioration leading to death. There is no cure; prevention relies on separating carriers from susceptible species. Safety advisory highlights *Enforce strict biosecurity and movement control measures in and around the zoo. *Intensify surveillance of susceptible species such as deer, bison, and antelopes, and submit samples to ICAR–NIHSAD *Conduct regular health monitoring of wild animals and strengthen early warning systems.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
CCRI-LITU Inks MoU to Offer PhD in Citrus Science
Nagpur: In a landmark initiative to foster academic excellence and agricultural innovation, the ICAR-Central Citrus Research Institute (ICAR-CCRI) and Laxminarayan Innovation Technological University (LITU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the occasion of CCRI's 41st Foundation Day celebrations. The MoU was formally signed in the presence of Dr Dilip Ghosh, director, ICAR-CCRI, and Dr Atul Narayan Vaidya, vice chancellor of LITU. This historic partnership aims to launch a Joint Doctoral Degree Programme, facilitating high-quality research and advanced academic engagement in critical areas such as post-harvest management, citrus processing, value-added product development, bioprospecting of citrus by-products, and climate-resilient horticulture. The collaboration is envisioned to provide a robust platform for nurturing next-generation scientists, technologists, and agri-entrepreneurs with a focused vision on citrus innovation and sustainability. This MoU stands as the first-of-its-kind alliance between two premier Nagpur-based institutions and is poised to serve as a model framework for future academia–research partnerships across India. It will enable joint research projects, co-guidance of doctoral scholars, sharing of laboratory and field infrastructure, and faculty-student exchange to create a holistic and interdisciplinary learning environment. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Remember Him? Sit Down Before You See What He Looks Like Now 33 Bridges Undo Dr Ghosh highlighted the institute's strategic vision to elevate India's citrus sector through innovation-led research, industry partnerships, and skill development. He stated, "This collaboration with LITU will act as a catalyst for developing a pool of talented citrus researchers who will drive science-based solutions and innovations for the benefit of farmers, processors, and exporters alike." Dr Vaidya emphasized the critical need for bridging academic rigour with field-oriented research. He commended ICAR-CCRI for its significant role in advancing India's horticultural landscape and expressed confidence that this collaboration would empower students and researchers to address emerging challenges in citrus cultivation, processing, and value chain development. The signing of this MoU not only commemorates ICAR-CCRI's four decades of dedicated service to citrus research but also sets the stage for a new era of integrated, interdisciplinary, and impact-driven education and research in India's citrus ecosystem. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
