The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on August 24, 2023, published the Guidelines for Environmental Management of Dairy Farms and Gaushala
The following has been stated namely: -
• It has laid down the criteria for the Categorization of Dairy Farms and Gaushalas
• It states that the Major environmental issues of Dairy farms and Gaushalas are related to the disposal of dung and urinal wastewater. Poor handling & disposal of dung and wastewater causes water pollution & odor problems.
• The following methods for the Disposal/Utilisation of Dung have been stated namely: -
(i) Composting/Vermicomposting
(ii) Biogas/Compressed biogas (CBG) production
(iii) Manufacture of dung wood or dung cake to be used as fuel
• The Guidelines to be followed for the management of solid wastes are as under namely: -
(i) Dung from the floor of the shed should be collected at regular intervals, so as to keep the floor clean. Surrounding areas should also be cleaned regularly to prevent obnoxious smells in the area.
(ii) Premises and their surrounding areas should be properly sanitized and disinfected, e.g. by sprinkling crushed lime.
(iii) Dung & fodder residue etc. should not be washed into drains in order to avoid clogging of drains. Local bodies/corporations/SPCBs should ensure that untreated wastes are not discharged outside premises.
• The Guidelines for the management of wastewater are as follows namely: -
(i) Water should be judiciously used for bathing bovines and other services including floor cleaning to contain wastewater quantity of 100 liters/day/bovine.
(ii) Adequate infrastructure should be provided to ensure proper handling, treatment, and disposal of wastewater. They may set up individual or common treatment facilities in clusters. Local bodies/corporations/SPCBs should facilitate Dairy farmers/ entrepreneurs/NGOs in setting up of individual or common treatment facilities.
(iii) Wastewater should be adequately treated so as to meet standards as prescribed by SPCBs/PCCs.
• The Guidelines for the management of air quality/emissions are as follows: -
(i) Animal housing should be ventilated allowing a sufficient supply of fresh air to remove humidity, dissipate heat, and prevent the build-up of gases such as methane, carbon dioxide, ammonia, etc
(ii) Good housekeeping practices like maintaining proper sanitary conditions, and protecting dung from unwanted pests/insects should be followed in order to minimize odor nuisance
(iii) Plantation of trees or green belts, wherever feasible, to provide a barrier against the spread of foul smell or noise originating from them.
