We know cow dung as an Indian fuel particularly in the rural belt of the country- be it cooking or lighting lamps, but who thought this can also be a source to make paper.
In India cow dung is considered as a resource rather than a waste product. Well, we don’t know about other cities, but it seems Jaipur has come up with an innovative thought of turning cow shit into poop paper and earn lakhs from it.
This will not only benefit the cow owners and cattle farmers, but it will also help in waste management and keep the roads and streets clean.
According to a TOI report, last month in September, Union minister of state for micro, small and medium enterprises Giriraj Singh launched paper made from cow dung in the city. A unit of Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), Kumarappa National Handmade Paper Institute (KNHPI) manufactured the hand-made paper by mixing cow dung and rag paper.
The price of each plant will range between Rs 5 to 25 lakh. This program is registered with Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) and once a person complete the registration process, he/she can apply for a loan or a subsidy to buy the plant and in 15-20 days, it will reach your home. There is no fixed income and it will depend on the amount of paper produced, said the director of KNHPI, AK Garg, while speaking to Gaon Connection.
Also, while talking to TOI, the minister of Gopalan department, Otaram Devasi said, “One gaushala has started making paper in Jalore. Our department always encourages gaushalas to contribute to the state economy through various cow produce.”
Currently, the gaushalas use cow urine to manufacture ‘disinfectants’. While the state government is providing funds to private gaushalas, the Gopalan department is encouraging them to make paper from cow dung, mentioned Devasi.
In Rajasthan, there are a total of 1,160 registered gaushalas with more than 5 lakh cows. A source of organic manure and now making paper from it- using cow dung in an effective manner can reduce environmental pollution.