Use bio-fuels for better future: Scholar

Water and Energy is required for booming development and using task force on bio fuels, it is possible to make a small change in the energy sector and hence meet our demands, he added. The seminar was organised by Bio-Fuels Task Force Karnataka in collaboration with Costal Development Authority.

Today technology has reached such advancement that it is possible to convert degradable and non-biodegradable waste into fuel, said MLA Yogish Bhat giving an insight of various such technological advancements that have taken place in the world.

“If we exhaust all the fossil fuels today, then what will happen to the generations to come,” questioned Karnataka Government Task-Force on Bio-fuels Y B Ramakrishna in his keynote address.

It is possible to create bio-fuel with the natural resources we possess. About 70,000 ton of fish oil is exported to Europe from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts alone. About 40,000 ton cashew fruit is also exported to other countries. These resources are excellent means of producing bio-fuels but many do not know the value of these natural resources, he regretted.

India is ranked fifth at the global-level on the overall consumption of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are non renewable in nature and India imports almost 85 per cent of its crude oil consumption. Uncontrolled burning of fossil fuels has eventually led to global warming. Hence, there is a need to find eco-friendly alternatives and bio-fuels is one such alternate hope, he added.

“It is necessary that we start thinking about future today. Let’s try to make the best use of waste,” said Karnataka Costal Development Authority Chairman Nagraja Shetty.

The seminar included three sessions such as “Bio-fuels - Value addition at marketing,” “Bio-fuels resources of Karnataka-Technology and business opportunity” and “Experience of industry.” Various scholars and industry experts spoke during these sessions.