The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to convert dairy waste into biogas and organic fertiliser as part of a major initiative to reduce pollution in the Yamuna River. The announcement was made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah during a high-level review meeting on the Yamuna rejuvenation programme. Under the NDDB model, cow dung generated from dairies and gaushalas will be transported directly to gas and fertiliser plants instead of entering drains that ultimately flow into the Yamuna. The initiative aims to prevent untreated dairy waste from polluting the river while promoting a circular economy through the production of compressed natural gas (CNG) and manure. Amit Shah also emphasized scientific disposal of riverside waste and called for coordinated action by the governments of Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh to improve water quality in the river basin. He directed continuous monitoring of key pollution indicators, including Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), and Total Suspended Solids (TSS). During the review, officials reported that 97% of the targeted 28.57 lakh metric tonnes of silt had already been removed from drains flowing into the Yamuna, with the remaining desilting work expected to be completed by June 15. The government also noted that 128 sewage treatment plants (STPs) have already been built across Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, while 99 additional STPs are planned by the end of 2027 to strengthen wastewater treatment capacity in the Yamuna basin. The project highlights the growing role of the dairy sector in environmental sustainability, waste valorization, and renewable energy generation while supporting the broader goal of restoring one of India’s most important rivers.
Source: Dairynews7x7 11 June, 2026 Read full story here