Ecoparks as a Model of Sustainable Solid Waste Management
149
filled with sand to a depth of 15 cm as a drainage layer and to support the vermibed.
The cost of each unit is estimated for Rs. 100,000/–, excluding the cost of land.
For Tirupati municipal area, 200 units are required. The total cost for 200 units is
Rs. 20,000,000/– (rupees two hundred lakhs only). The transportation of waste
charges can be tremendously reduced. Vermicomposting units can be constructed
in a phased manner. By constructing the units side by side, the cost may be further
reduced.
The revenue generated to the sales of the compost of 650 Kgs/t of TCM at the
rate of Rs. 10/kg would be Rs. 6500/t of compost. For the total quantity of 65 t of
TCM, the revenue generated works out to be around Rs. 4.00 Lakh/day. The total
investment of Rs. 20,000 Lakhs can be recovered within a year even after accounting
for operation and maintenance and sundry expenditure and is worth implementation.
9 Pilot Compost Park: Vermicomposting Unit at Rabindra
Sarobar, Kolkata
To introduce the concept of compost park, a pilot vermicomposting unit was constructed at Rabindra Sarobar lake area in Kolkata with the financial assistance of
Lion’s club. Rabindra Sarobar comprises several parks and is a popular place for
walking, recreation, and such activities.
A pilot vermicomposting unit comprising twin chambers of 2.00 × 1.00 × 1.00 m
was constructed in brick masonry and plastered with cement mortar, and bottom was
left as it is. Vermicomposting was started in one chamber. On a sand bed of 15 cm,
a vermibed of 60 cm was prepared with available biodegradable waste after mixing
with cow dung. Earth worms belonging to the species of Eisenia fetida and Endrilus
eugeniae were introduced. Water was sprinkled daily to maintain moisture content
and to keep the temperature low. Straw cover was laid on the bed to protect the warms
from pests, birds, and other organisms, and the bed was not disturbed for 2 months.
The gardeners working in the club spend some time to sprinkle water without the
need of any additional manpower.
After 2 months, vermicastings were found on the top and waste was totally converted into vermicompost/vermicastings. The castings were separated carefully without damaging worms, and it was observed that the population of worms increased
considerably. Vermicompost was started in the next chamber.
A sample of vermicompost was analyzed, and the values are presented in Table 2.
The values are further compared with typical values of vermicompost, and the values
of average well indicating that the compost is of good quality.
The author has experimented and implemented a pilot plant at Rabindra Sarobar,
Kolkata, during the year 2008; the details are presented for elucidation.
The compost that was generated in this Ecoparks is being used within these parks.
Several studies indicate that vermicompost can replace the synthetic fertilizers and
pesticides. As the process is very close to the nature, the generated vermicompost has
149
filled with sand to a depth of 15 cm as a drainage layer and to support the vermibed.
The cost of each unit is estimated for Rs. 100,000/–, excluding the cost of land.
For Tirupati municipal area, 200 units are required. The total cost for 200 units is
Rs. 20,000,000/– (rupees two hundred lakhs only). The transportation of waste
charges can be tremendously reduced. Vermicomposting units can be constructed
in a phased manner. By constructing the units side by side, the cost may be further
reduced.
The revenue generated to the sales of the compost of 650 Kgs/t of TCM at the
rate of Rs. 10/kg would be Rs. 6500/t of compost. For the total quantity of 65 t of
TCM, the revenue generated works out to be around Rs. 4.00 Lakh/day. The total
investment of Rs. 20,000 Lakhs can be recovered within a year even after accounting
for operation and maintenance and sundry expenditure and is worth implementation.
9 Pilot Compost Park: Vermicomposting Unit at Rabindra
Sarobar, Kolkata
To introduce the concept of compost park, a pilot vermicomposting unit was constructed at Rabindra Sarobar lake area in Kolkata with the financial assistance of
Lion’s club. Rabindra Sarobar comprises several parks and is a popular place for
walking, recreation, and such activities.
A pilot vermicomposting unit comprising twin chambers of 2.00 × 1.00 × 1.00 m
was constructed in brick masonry and plastered with cement mortar, and bottom was
left as it is. Vermicomposting was started in one chamber. On a sand bed of 15 cm,
a vermibed of 60 cm was prepared with available biodegradable waste after mixing
with cow dung. Earth worms belonging to the species of Eisenia fetida and Endrilus
eugeniae were introduced. Water was sprinkled daily to maintain moisture content
and to keep the temperature low. Straw cover was laid on the bed to protect the warms
from pests, birds, and other organisms, and the bed was not disturbed for 2 months.
The gardeners working in the club spend some time to sprinkle water without the
need of any additional manpower.
After 2 months, vermicastings were found on the top and waste was totally converted into vermicompost/vermicastings. The castings were separated carefully without damaging worms, and it was observed that the population of worms increased
considerably. Vermicompost was started in the next chamber.
A sample of vermicompost was analyzed, and the values are presented in Table 2.
The values are further compared with typical values of vermicompost, and the values
of average well indicating that the compost is of good quality.
The author has experimented and implemented a pilot plant at Rabindra Sarobar,
Kolkata, during the year 2008; the details are presented for elucidation.
The compost that was generated in this Ecoparks is being used within these parks.
Several studies indicate that vermicompost can replace the synthetic fertilizers and
pesticides. As the process is very close to the nature, the generated vermicompost has