Waste Management

The Natural Resource Management Division at Integrated Rural Technology Centre(IRTC) focuses on the sustainable utilization and conservation of natural resources. We aim to develop innovative solutions that promote ecological balance, enhance biodiversity, and improve the livelihoods of rural communities. Our activities encompass a wide range of areas, including watershed based soil and water conservation, sustainable agriculture and climate change adaptation. By integrating traditional knowledge with modern scientific approaches, we strive to create resilient and self-sufficient ecosystems. We focus on vulnerable communities such as tribes, formulate and implement sustainable development projects for them with the financial support of agencies such as NABARD. We are an accredited agency in watershed management by Govt. of Kerala.

Training

The division offers trainings, classes, demonstrations and visits for Village Extension Officers from KILA, School and College Students in Waste Management Practices and Services. “Skill Based Training on Organic Waste Management and its Use in Agriculture” funded by KSCSTE – Biotechnology Innovations for Rural Development (KBC-BIRD) comprised of Solid Waste Recycling and Vermicomposting (field hands-on training and demonstration) for farmers at the Watershed named Pullundasseri at Kadampazhipuram, Palakkad, Kerala.

The division also participates in various workshops and trainings under Malinyamuktha Navakeralam Campaign and Kerala Solid Waste Management Project (KSWMP); Finalization of Module of Training for Haritha Karma Sena; Faculty serve as Master Trainer in the Training of Trainers towards Safety and Dignity of Sanitation Workers, jointly organized by KILA, UNICEF and Suchitwa Mission and so on.

Dr. P.N. Damodaran

Dr. P.N. Damodaran is Associate Fellow and Head of the Solid Waste Management Division. He has more than two decades of experience in research and teaching. Previously, he was working with College of National Sciences, South Korea as an Assistant

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Dr. B. Thazeem

Dr. B. Thazeem is a fellow at IRTC with expertise in Microbiology, Solid Waste Management (Tannery and Poultry), Aquaculture Feed Formulations, Probiotics, Bio-polymer and Bio-fertilizer studies. With six years of research experience, she is a recipient of INSPIRE

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Research

  • Development of Probiotic based Aerobic consortium for faster, odour – free and insect free composting process.
  • Development of an Anaerobic Consortium to increase the Biogas Yield.
  • Development of an Anaerobic Consortium for Faecal sludge management.
  • Role of Actinomycetes Consortium in Wastewater Treatment: An Explorative Attempt.
  • Biodegradation of Hair Waste (Human and Animal) as a Biofertilizer using Keratinolytic Microbial Consortium.
  • Lactic Acid Fermented Municipal Solid Waste for Fish Feed Formulations.
  • Role of Keratinolytic Bacteria in Chicken Feather Biodegradation.
  • Bioremediation of Tannery Solid Waste and Effluents using Microbial Consortium (Inoculum) for its Possible Reuse.
  • Valorisation of Distinct Solid Wastes as Biochar and Exploration of their Multiple Applications.

The division provides technical support to various Local Self-Governments in Kerala in the planning and implementation of Waste Management units / projects including the preparation of Detailed Project Reports.  We have done research and development of Latrine Linked Biogas plants which has an important role in solving the E. coli contamination in the household water sources of Kerala. Along with the development of waste management (WM) devices, WM division of IRTC has extensively contributed in developing various composting practices and microbial solution for better composting, for challenging environments etc.

The initiative of WM division is the formation and running of Harithakarmasena (Green army formulated for the systematic collection and segregation of solid waste) with the support of Haritha Kerala Mission of Government of Kerala. IRTC is acting as a Haritha Sahaya Sthapanam (Resource Support Organisation) for more than 192 local bodies of the State.

IRTC is the Centre of Excellence and accredited Centre for Waste Management, Government of Kerala.