RURAL WASTE MANAGEMENT IN A SOUTH INDIAN VILLAGE - A CASE-STUDY

A micro-level study was carried out in a typical south Indian village to assess the quantity and type of wastes generated and its present mo de of management. This information was used to identify the appropriat e technologies which could enhance the value of the waste produced and , at the same time improve the economic conditions of rural people. Th e study indicated that nearly 2364 tons of rural wastes in the form of crop residues, animal manure and human excreta are produced annually in the village with a population of 510. About 77% of the waste genera ted in the village was used as domestic fuel, animal fodder and organi c fertilizer for crop production. The rest (23%) was left out in open fields for natural decomposition. The energy balance sheet of the vill age indicated that the present consumption of biomass resources was 50 % less than that actually required for various domestic and agricultur al applications. Anaerobic digestion of animal manure and human excret a produced in the village could yield 82% of the domestic energy requi red besides enriching the waste by 3-4 times as compared to convention al storage on the ground. If the traditional mud chulha (stove) were r eplaced by an improved chulha, each family unit could reduce their ann ual biomass (fire wood) consumption by about 2/3. Commercializing the utilization of coconut and paddy biomass using the village's man-power and facilities could increase the rural family income several fold.