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Description: The GOBARdhan Initiative, launched in 2018, drives India's circular economy and sustainable waste management efforts. By converting cattle and organic waste into biogas and organic manure, it boosts environmental sanitation, generates rural employment, and curbs vector-borne diseases. The 2023-24 Budget allocates resources for expanding the initiative with 500 new 'waste to wealth' plants, fostering safe waste disposal and promoting biogas for a greener India. Empowering villages, entrepreneurs, and youth groups, GOBARdhan propels science, technology, and sustainable living.

GOBARdhan Initiative: Pioneering the Circular Economy through Biogas Conversion in India

Relevance: G.S paper III: Science and Technology: Developments and their applications and effects in everyday life

About GOBARdhan Initiative

• Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBARdhan) Launched in 2018
• Aim: To convert waste to wealth with the aim of promoting a circular economy.
• Nodal Ministry: Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti
• Part of: Gobardhan is an integral part of Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) Phase II under Solid Waste Management.

Objectives of the GOBARdhan Initiative: 

• To support villages safely manage their cattle and agricultural waste, and make the villages clean.

• To support communities in converting cattle and organic waste into wealth using treatment systems.

• To convert organic waste, especially cattle waste, to biogas and organic manure for use in rural areas.

• To promote environmental sanitation and curb vector-borne diseases through effective disposal of waste in rural areas.

• To promote rural employment and income generation opportunities by involving entrepreneurs, SHGs and youth groups in setting up, operating and managing GOBARdhan units.

Financial incentive: For every district, the Government of India provides technical assistance as well as financial support of up to 50 lakhs to achieve the safe disposal of cattle and organic waste.

Budget 2023-24 for GOBARdhan scheme

As per Budget Announcement 2023-24, 500 new ‘waste to wealth’ plants under GOBARdhan scheme will be established for promoting the circular economy. 

These will include 200 compressed biogas (CBG) plants, including 75 plants in urban areas, and 300 community or cluster-based plants.These plants will be established primarily by the private sector with support from stakeholder Ministries/Departments.

Benefits of the GOBARdhan scheme:

Source of image: PIB