Context:
In order to accelerate Compressed Biogas (CBG) sector through cross-sectoral linkages and promote dialogue and knowledge exchange among all stakeholders, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) is organising a conference ‘SBM-GOBARdhan Biogas Conference: Accelerating Waste to Wealth & Circular Economy’
Relevance:
GS II: Government policies and Interventions
Dimensions of the Article:
- GOBARdhan Scheme
- Circular Economy: A Sustainable Model of Production and Consumption
GOBARdhan Scheme:
- The GOBARdhan Scheme, which stands for Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan, is a significant initiative of the Government of India.
- It was launched in 2018 as a national priority project under the Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen-Phase II program.
- The aim of the scheme is to convert cattle dung, agricultural residue, and other organic waste into Biogas, CBG, and bio-fertilizers to generate wealth and energy.
- The scheme adopts a comprehensive approach involving various government departments to promote a circular economy by transforming waste into valuable resources.
- The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, is the nodal ministry responsible for the implementation of the GOBARdhan Scheme.
Circular Economy: A Sustainable Model of Production and Consumption
The circular economy is a production and consumption model that aims to minimize waste and maximize resource efficiency. It involves various practices, such as sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling existing materials and products throughout their life cycle. The key characteristics of the circular economy model are:
- Extending Product Life Cycle: By promoting sharing, reusing, and recycling, the circular economy model extends the life cycle of products, reducing waste and minimizing environmental impact.
- Recycling for Resource Retention: When products reach the end of their life, materials are kept within the economy through recycling, ensuring that valuable resources are used productively again and again.
Benefits of the Circular Economy Model:
- Environmental Impact: Reusing and recycling products reduce the consumption of natural resources, decrease landscape and habitat disruption, and help limit biodiversity loss. The circular economy contributes to lower greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change mitigation.
- Resource Security: Recycling raw materials mitigates risks associated with resource supply, such as price volatility, availability, and import dependency. This becomes especially crucial as the world’s population grows and demands for raw materials increase.
- Economic Growth and Competitiveness: Transitioning to a circular economy can stimulate innovation, increase competitiveness, and lead to economic growth. Redesigning materials and products for circular use fosters innovation across different sectors.
- Improved Quality of Life: Consumers benefit from durable and innovative products that save money in the long run. A circular economy offers more reliable and long-lasting products, enhancing the overall quality of life.
