Environment:

[ Agriculture ]

The Agricultural, Horticultural and Dairy Farms were the first enterprises that the patients at Anandwan started in their quest for self-sufficiency. Within a few years, the rocky barren land was bearing five times the average yield in the district. This is ironic since the hands that toiled were often numb due to leprosy but the creativity of their scientific minds, prevailed. Today, Anandwan produces enough to meet its own requirements and to sell in the outside market. Agriculture is carried out on 250 acres of land that produce an annual output of 46 tons of food grains. The total annual income from sales of food grains, vegetables, and fruits, is about Rs. 2 million (approximately $42,000).

This income is directed toward meeting Maharogi Sewa Samiti's overhead and expenses. 70,000 liters of milk are produced annually at the Anandwan Dairy Farm out of which 45,000 liters are sold to the outside market.

Back to Top

[ Plastic Recyling ]

Dr. Vikas envisioned and implemented a very important initiative within and around Anandwan. The project includes discouraging the use of plastics and finding creative ways of disposing and reusing the plastic. Residents travel to nearby villages and collect plastic bags and other reusable trash.

The Shiny plastic sachets that are used for packaging candy are sent to the Greeting Card unit where decorative items are made from them. Other plastic wrappers and packets are first cleaned and shredded. These shreds are then utilized in making stabilized earthen bricks.

Other plastic waste is used to make pillows and mattresses. The ingenuity is fascinating and inspiring. Even old car tires are used to make soles for shoes.

Anandwan has a full-fledged hospital and that generates medical waste. By re-using the waste, it reduces the impact on the environment. Saline bottles become white Christmas trees with little ornaments hanging (Photo from my web site, Plastic Recycling page, Caption "A young woman is cutting up the saline bottle to create the tree".

While re-use still leaves open the ultimate bio-degradation issue, it is at least a big step in the right direction. While plastic is essential in certain applications, are we abusing it by using it for everything from packaging to furniture to industrial components? How many more landfills and incinerators can we create? When do the levels of carcinogens become so high that we will refuse to tolerate the situation?

The plastic re-use project makes visitors to Anandwan really think about the impact of the plastic industry on the environment.

Back to Top

[ Eco-friendly Building ]

Earthen Bricks
Plastic shreds are mixed with cement, sand and mud to make a stabilized mud block. Combining sand, mud and cement is commonly used in rammed earth homes in the US and sand, mud, and straw are used in making adobe/cobb homes. This natural technology is seeing a revival due to the environmental damage that conventional building materials cause. Dr. Vikas Amte's invention is based on his own experimentation along with Chandramani, a leprosy patient who passed away recently. Dr. Amte is currently interested in partnering with other people involved with natural building or scientists in the field willing to document his invention.

This eco-friendly method of making bricks provides them adequate compressive strength without firing, thus eliminating the use of fuel! The bricks are cured under water (shown in photo to the right).

Nubian cottages
Another unique feature that Dr. Vikas Amte incorporated in Anandwan's characteristic architectural design, is the use of Nubian vaults to form the roof of the building. These dome shape buildings economize a great deal on the use of cement and steel, which is very expensive in India. These houses are very comfortable during both the hot summer and the cold winter months. They can withstand the heavy rains in the monsoon season. The houses have proved to be earthquake proof. This was successfully demonstrated at Killari and Latur, earthquake affected regions (1993). Herringbone brick structure is used in the half round barrel dome.

These bricks and Nubian vaults have also been deployed in the construction of the biogas plants, which are extensively used throughout Anandwan. These building innovations clearly warrant further study and exploration by architects and other building professionals who are seriously interested in cost-effective and ecologically viable technologies.

Spiral brick houses
Another new technique is the construction of flat roofed houses where the roof is made with bricks. The spiral brick roof is weather, wind and rat proof and maintenance free. Any house can get the spiral brick roof: rectangular, square or round. The spiral brick roof is made without the necessity of support during construction therefore saving time, human resources, and construction materials.

The brick making and construction of the Nubian and spiral brick houses are techniques that could be transferred to others who are interested in eco-friendly and cost effective building technology. Dr. Vikas Amte is looking for architects and building experts to help him document the techniques and share them with a wider audience.

Back to Top

[ Biogas ]

At Anandwan, even human and animal waste is not wasted! Biogas (methane) is harvested and used for generating energy for cooking. Also the slurry (left behind after the other microbial processes are completed) is pumped out of the biogas plants and used for fisheries and vermin compost. It is also used to improve the nutrient poor soil at Anandwan. The slurry is transformed into compost via another microbial process. This composting activity is also done in Anandwan along with earthworm farming. Biogas plants are an important component of resource recovery at Anandwan.

Back to Top

[ Water Management ]

The drinking water supply comes from several bore wells. From these wells everyday a series of overhead tanks are filled with the water for consumption, bathing and cooking. Houses are equipped with smaller tanks for household use. Their wastewater is collected in a gutter system and rerouted to the ponds.

Water management is essential for agriculture. This is provided with a unique Micro Watershed Management Scheme. Ponds are dug to collect the rain during the monsoon. This water can be used for irrigation of the land. On top the ponds increase the groundwater level. Whether or not a pond dries up during the summer period depends on the size of it. Only a few ponds keep the water all year round. Projects are initiated to increase the number of ponds that have enough capacity to keep water all year round.

The ponds are also used for fish breeding and Poly Carp culture. Several programs have been initiated to improve the production and the quality of the fish. The fish is sold in the local markets.

Back to Top

[ Forestry ]

When the Government of India gave Baba Amte the Anandwan property, it was barren. Over half a century, the residents have transformed it into a beautiful and green forest. To make the vegetation as natural as possible, the Multi-tier Silva-pastoral System (multi- layered forest/grassland system) was used. The forest is important since it supplies various resources: fuel, composting material and construction material. The trees provide resting and shelter places for birds and little squirrels. Anandwan grows saplings, therefore, eliminating the need to purchase them from nurseries. Teak saplings are planted on a separate piece of land, and within a number of years, this can be another source of income for Anandwan.

Back to Top

[ Other Activities ]

To demonstrate the potential of harnessing solar energy as a viable and eco-friendly alternative, solar panels are used for heating water in Anandwan Hospital. Due to a lack of funds to expand the program, Anandwan has not used this elsewhere.

The greenhouse technology developed under Dr. Vikas Amte's guidance is a low input technology, using minimum water. Such greenhouses are manufactured and installed by Anandwan for nearby farmers on a turnkey basis.

To promote the concept of catching rainwater wherever it falls, an envelope dam has been built at Anandwan. This earthen dam collects surface runoff from the entire campus, which is used for irrigation and other purposes, and also helps recharge the groundwater.

Whenever residents have spare time, they plant trees. This activity is highly respected at Anandwan, and therefore any downtime is utilized in beautifying the community and simultaneously helping the environment!

Back to Top