New Delhi: Nearly 90% of the 557 dairy and gaushala units assessed in Delhi for dairy waste generation are unauthorised, with 500 such establishments collectively housing about 22,540 cattle and generating about 274 metric tonnes (MT) of dairy waste every day, according to a Delhi govt report.
The assessment found that the 557 units have over 1.2 lakh cattle and generate around 1,500 MT of dairy waste daily. Of these, only 11 are authorised dairies. These have 60,210 cattle and generate about 734 MT of waste every day. Four authorised gaushalas have another 19,638 cattle and generate 240 MT of waste daily while 42 private gaushalas account for 20,776 cattle and generate around 252 MT of waste every day. For every authorised dairy identified in the assessment, there are more than 45 unauthorised dairies. The Ghazipur Dairy plant will have the highest capacity at 300 tonnes per day, while the other facilities will have capacities ranging from 125 to 200 tonnes per day.
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Waste entering water bodies can also affect its quality,” a senior Delhi govt official said. The official said the city is set to get several new bio-gas plants to treat dairy waste. The large number of unregulated dairies comes as a major challenge for waste management in the city as dairy waste is generated across a wide network of locations outside the authorised system. Tonnes of unprocessed cattle waste goes into drains in Delhi and eventually into Yamuna daily. The figures underline the scale of the regulatory challenge. “Improper disposal of cattle dung and other dairy waste can put additional pressure on the city’s drainage and sanitation infrastructure. When such waste is dumped in the open or enters drains, it can choke drainage networks and contribute to foul smell and unhygienic conditions. Illegal dairies also pose public health, traffic and environmental challenges. Dairy owners frequently release cattle onto public roads and flyovers after milking them, which can lead to traffic congestion, vehicle collisions and road accidents. Unregulated conditions, including cattle being tethered near sewage or toxic waste, can expose livestock and residents to health risks. Unlicensed units have also been associated with the use of harmful additives, starch, detergents and refined oils in the production of synthetic or substandard milk and paneer. Untreated cattle dung, dairy waste and temporary sheds can further choke drainage systems and pollute open spaces. Such waste has also emerged as a concern in environmentally sensitive areas, including the Yamuna floodplains. These facilities will together have the capacity to process thousands of tonnes of waste per day. The plants are proposed at Ghazipur Dairy, Ghazipur Paper Market and Bhalswa Dairy. Download the TOI App.