Chhattisgarh govt to use cow dung made paints for buildings

Chhattisgarh: In a move said to be an eco-friendly initiative by the Chhattisgarh government, the state-owned buildings will be painted by organic paints made from cow dung.

Livestock shelter known as 'gauthans' have been set up in Raipur and Kanker for the purpose of manufacturing the paint, and according to official reports the government is planning to expand the shelters to all districts by the end of January 2023.

The manufacturing of 'prakritik (natural) paints' has been started in gauthans located in Hirapur Jarway village in Raipur district and Saradhu Nawagaon village in Kanker district, said joint director (Godhan Nyay Yojna) RL Khare.

Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is the main ingredient of natural paint manufactured from cow dung. About 10 kg dry CMC is prepared from 100 kg cow dung. CMC accounts for 30 per cent composition of the paint, he said.

The official claim is that the paint has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.

"This paint has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, non-toxic, eco-friendly, and fragrance-free properties. It is affordable too as the distemper and emulsion - two variants being manufactured from cow dung, are priced at Rs 120 per litre and Rs 225 per litre respectively," Khare said.

“Each litre of emulsion and distemper will fetch profit to the tune of Rs 130 to Rs 139 and Rs 55 to Rs 64.”

The paint was used for government buildings, including veterinary hospitals in Raipur, the official added.

Similarly, in Kanker, schools and hostels were painted with this natural paint for the first time.

As part of the state government's ambitious Suraji Gaon Yojana, a flagship scheme Godhan Nyay Yojana was launched two years ago, under which more than 8,000 gauthans have been set up where cow dung and urine are being procured from cattle-rearers and farmers at Rs 2 per kg and Rs 4 per litre respectively.

The paint was used in tribal hostels in Kodtara village, government school in Vadgaon, panchayat buildings in Chavdi, Bhilai and Aaavdi villages, Khare said, adding that in future it will be used in all government establishments.

Previously, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had recently hailed the state government's initiative and tweeted: "Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has given instructions to use natural paint made from cow dung in the government buildings. I congratulate him for his decision. It is commendable and welcoming."

Source: PTI