DRDO's bio-toilets in Dal Lake to tackle water contamination

"The Tourism Ministry has decided to install bio-toilets, developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in the house boats in Dal Lake to ensure proper disposal of human wastes without contaminating the water," DRDO Research and Development Chief Controller W Selvamurthy told PTI here.

Besides Dal Lake, these bio-digesters would be installed at other important tourist destinations including Lakshadweep, he said. The Lakshadweep administration, facing problem of water contamination due to increased tourist activity in the island, has placed an order for 12,000 bio-toilets, Selvamurthy said.

The bio-digesters have been developed by DRDO's Gwalior based lab Defence Research and Development Establishment (DRDE) to treat human waste by using a special form of bacteria in zero discharge toilets. These microbes have been modified by DRDC to suit different climatic regions.

"21 bio-toilets were installed at different locations in Lakshadweep on an experimental basis. These units are working satisfactorily and more would be installed there soon," DRDO director (Life Sciences) G Ilavazhagan said.