Biological toilets to be set up in Lakshwadeep Islands

The Lakshwadeep government has asked the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to install 21 biological toilets in Kavaratti and other islands.

"Biological toilets use a bacteria called psychrophilic found in Antartica region. The bacteria thrives on these waste and delivers a residue that is odourless, non-pathogenic and has no toxicity, thus making it eco-friendly," R B Srivastava, Director, Life Sciences, DRDO said.

"The surface water-level in Lakshwadeep Islands is one metre deep and as such sewage waste gets mixed with it. The Planning Comission was looking for a solution. This technology will help avoid this contamination," he said.

Human waste disposal, especially in moving rail coaches, is a burning problem. If not properly disposed, it can result in spread of water-borne diseases like typhoid, cholera, dysentery and diarrhea.

"Ministry of Rural Development has shown interest in this technology and Ministry of Railways has signed an MOU with us. They have asked us to make certain changes because other waste material like bottles etc are also disposed off in toilets of rail coaches," Srivastava said.

The problem is more severe in glaciers where low temperature delays natural bio-degradation of the waste and sunlight exposes the waste buried in the ice, causing foul smell.

"The melting ice takes the waste to rivers disturbing the aquatic eco system," he said, adding biological toilets was suitable for such areas as it treats human waste in a method that is odour less and free from pathogens and environmentally acceptable.