The ministry of non-conventional energy sources (MNES) has recently commenced a $5.5 million project, funded by the Global Environmental Facility, to convert municipal and industrial waste into energy. A national bio-energy board has been constituted under the chairpersonship of the secretary, MNES, to monitor the implementation.

The first phase of the project will set up a dozen demonstration units on an experimental basis to utilise technologies like high rate biomethanation processes. According to M C Upreti, director (urban and industrial wastes group), MNES, the objectives of the exercise include a quantitative and qualitative study of waste generation and its conversion to energy. Upreti says, "There is also a possibility of legislation to make the recovery of energy from waste mandatory." The major sectors targeted under the scheme are the paper and pulp industry, vegetable markets, abattoirs, the leather industry, municipal solid waste and sewage.