A Note on the Supply of Alternative Fuel to Release Cattle-Dung for Use as Manure in the Central Provinces and Berar

Abstract

The annual firewood requirement of C.P. & Berar for a populution of 17 millions is estimated at 5,500,000 tons. Total production from Government and private forests and miscellaneous sources is estimated at 2,000,000 tons. Firewood equivalent of charcoal exported is about 6,40,000 tons. The deficit of firewood is about 3,500,000 tons. Dung produced by about 13,500,000 bovine animals is about 11,000,000 tons (dry) of which 30% is lost in grazing grounds, 30% is used as manure and 40%, i.e. 4,400,000 tons (dry) are burnt as fuel. If used as manure this is capable of producing about 4,71,428 tons of extra food grains worth about Rs. 142,000,000/-. The value of firewood equivalent of dung burnt is about Rs. 61,600,000/-. Shortage is keenly felt in the plains of Chattisgarh, Berar and Nagpur. Forest required to produce the deficit is estimated to be about 8,2.00 sq. miles. They must be situated closed to villages where supplies are required.