Vermicomposting that the Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens embarked on in a bid to increase its revenue and keep the environs clean has today proved to be a major success.

This eco-friendly means of revenue generation was thought of in 2005 by the then executive director Manoj Kumar, to effectively meet the zoo maintenance costs. While in 2005-06 it fetched Rs 4,44,993, between 2006 and March 2007, Rs 4,36,360 has been realised by the zoo through sale of 1,44,492 kgs.

“The utilitarian value of the vermicompost including increasing the blotting capacity of soil and rise in yields has popularised the manure. Since it involves organic preparations, there are no side effects either. It is preferred in growing coconut, plantain, coffee and vegetables,” says C R Rajegowda, the Vermicompost Production Unit Incharge. This being the case there is a great demand from places like Coorg, Arasikere, K R Nagar, Kollegal, Pandavapura and Mysore, he adds.  “In fact, in Bylakuppe crops are being grown on a particular plot of land using this compost on an experimental basis. If they get expected yields, we will have to make available most of our compost to them,” says Zoo Manager S Shivanna.

The unit produces one tonne every day. Vermicompost comes in five kg and 10 kg bags. One tonne is sold by the zoo at Rs 3,000. “The product is being sold at Rs 3 per kg on purchase of 50 kg and above and at Rs 5 for that of less than 50 kg. It is sold directly to individuals without engaging distributors and dealers,” says Rajegowda. The annual turnover is around Rs 11 lakh, he adds. The vermicompost produced here meets the quality standards fixed by the Department of Horticulture. The zoo is considering registering with the Department of Weights and Measures to get a brand.

Process
The major sources of vermicompost are elephant, rhino, hippo, mithun and gaur dung, fallen leaves, kitchen waste and garbage. A bed is prepared and the dung is dumped on to it.

Then the rotten waste is mixed with it and regular watering is done to soften the raw material and maintain the required moisture (60 per cent dung-40 per cent other wastes).

Earthworms, that have high multiplication rate and give quality vermicast, are then released into this bed. Following this not only will the population increase but vermicasts will also start heaping on the surface of the bed. 

Compost
After nearly a month’s process, the black, granular, light weight and humus-rich compost  is ready. In order to separate the worms, watering must be stopped. After this is done, the manure is sieved and packed, explains Kumar explaining one of the six labourers employed at the unit.

 For every bed, 15 kg of worms are required and they are procured from Shimoga, he adds.

‘Clean zoo’
Says Zoo Executive Director Vijay Ranjan Singh, “We aim to recycle all the waste and create a clean zoo. In this regard other plans are being considered. Attempts will be made to improve the vermicompost production too.”