CENTRE OF SCIENCE FOR VILLAGES

Sustainable Technologies for the Masses

har awaas prakriti ke paas

FACTS
Origin Center of Science for Villages (CSV) was founded in 1977 by Dr. Devendra Kumar. Dr. Kumar sought guidance from Indira Gandhi, Vinobha Bave, J.C.Kumarappa and others in reviving the rural economy. During 1987-1989, he was appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of the Gandhigram Institute in Dindukal. Dr. Kumar passed away in 1999. Vision The primary goal of the centre has always been to improve life conditions in the rural areas of India. The techniques developed by the CSV range from mud housing technology to various methods of energy production and food growing. CSV actively works in the areas of hygiene promotion and development of local alternate industries. These techniques are primarily based on locally available materials. They are simple to use, costeffective and environment-safe. Training to villagers is provided in parallel, so that they can pass their skills and experience to others. This favors the creation of a local know-how that can be used to create jobs, trades, etc. This is in agreement with the Gandhian philosophy that envisioned villages as self-sufficient units. The use of these "appropriate technologies" brings freedom for villagers and helps them to live life with dignity. Strategies - Business Verticals The CSV is primarily supported by the funds raised for the research and implementation done for the government agencies. It is in some cases funded by the Wardha Development Association, based out of France. The building centre of CSV is also partially supported by the HUDCO. Context CSV Wardha is accessible by road and rail services. It has two campuses both on the state highway connecting Nagpur and Wardha. Both the campuses lie outside the main town of Wardha. Outreach CSV has undertaken demonstration projects all over India. Stakeholders Involved The target groups of CSV include: rural populace, local NGOs for the demonstration of technologies, government organizations. Wardha Development Association, France is one of the partner organizations with CSV. The clients among others are HUDCO, DST,

Keywords
Renewable energy, appropriate construction technology, sanitation, waste management, industries, watershed development, forest resource management, research and training, water harvesting and recharge, carbon efficient green technology, non conventional energy, micro-enterprises.

SUMMARY
Center of Science for Villages (CSV) was set up in 1977 act as a technology transfer centre for reviving the rural economy. CSV works to salvage traditional sciences through appropriate technology transfer and introduction of practical and innovative scientific products for rural areas that benefit both the people and the environment. It was established in 1995 as an independent training center. The two campuses of CSV (Kumarappapuram and Dattapur) in Wardha showcase a wide variety of alternate technologies for rural scenario both through models as well as practical application in their own facilities. At these locations, CSV also provides training to artisans, SHGs, micro-entrepreneurs and development practitioners on alternate technologies. Key areas of work of CSV are: Ecological Housing - low carbon building technologies (mud houses and bamboo houses) Total sanitation - solutions for home sanitation, school sanitation, sewerage management Solid Waste management vermi-composting Water management - water recycling, low cost water filter, rain water harvesting Non conventional energy improved cook stove, new bio-gas technology Rural industries banana fibre paper technology, pottery, honey collection, agricultural tools, and micro enterprises Forest resource management Bio-technology CSV also has a demonstrative sanitation park that demonstrates a range of sanitation technologies including biogas. The campuses also demonstrate rainwater collection and recharge units, technology and buildings showcasing their housing technology. The Dattapur campus is the production and research facility. Technologies for rural industries and micro enterprises are showcased here.

SIGNIFICANT HIGHLIGHTS
Technology Innovation Wardha House Model Mud building technology is eco-friendly and cost effective as compared to the conventional building practices like RCC or burnt bricks; the material being locally available and embodied energy being lower than other building materials. The CSV mud house allies local availability of mud with the resistance and thermal properties of locally produced terra-cotta. The innovative walling system combines sun-dried mud blocks with lining terra-cotta tiles integrated into the block, aiming to protect the wall from rain and moisture, thus increasing the life span of the wall. The wardha house model consists of conventional stone foundation, with a frame structure of brick columns and RCC beams. The infill wall material consists of walling system of mud blocks in mud mortar as described above. The conical tile roof rests on the RCC beams supported by the brick columns. The usual span of these roofs is 12 feet and can be multiplied over larger lengths. Greater stability and efficient structural design have also been achieved by laying the RCC beams in an arch profile thereby creating double curvature. The inside surfaces of the walls are coated with mud plaster with minimum stabilization. The overall earthy appearance has a unique aesthetic charm. The cost of a house varies from 300-550 rupees/sq.ft. A 200 sq.ft house can be completed in 3 weeks with 2 masons and 4 labourers. The roofing system is based on a self-bearing structure achieved by a catenary vault in tapering terra-cotta tumblers. This structure doesnt require any understructure thus preventing deforestation. The tumblers which compose the vault can be produced locally. Insulation is optimal owing to the air chambers created by the tumblers and also due to insulating properties of the materials used both for the roofing and walling systems. Each component of this building system is studied in order to reduce the environmental impact of these houses and give maximum comfort to the users without having to rely on subsidiary cooling systems. There are following innovations in house construction materials and techniques: Design Criteria: reducing cost of construction, particularly walling and roofing, making the best use of locally available material, tapping existing skill sets, consuming low energy, climatically responsive and disturbing the environment to the least possible extent. Traditionally, half-cut locally burnt conical tiles (kavelu) were laid adjacent to each other to form the roof on an understructure of bamboo mat, bamboo purlins and wooden rafters. This was not durable and would break in case of sudden load, specifically of the monkeys in the region. As a result, both maintenance cost and time required would be high. Therefore, the practice has been rapidly replaced by conventional roofs like RCC. This had a dual adverse impact on both livelihood of local potters and also the prevalence of high energy consuming construction which would not always guarantee durability. Additionally, the monetary cost of construction has also increased. Roof: A conical tile which is a tapered burnt clay tumbler forms a unit for roof construction. The tiles are laid in the profile of a reverse catenary arch, forming a load bearing vault and joined together by locking one conical tile into another. The formwork for the arch comprises of fabricated MS trusses over which bamboo poles are fixed as support along the length of the vault. After laying the conical tiles for the entire roof, the formwork is removed in 24 hours. The roof is finished with a cement concrete layer and topped with broken china mosaic tiles which act as both waterproofing and a heat reflective skin for the roof. The roofing alternative affords the following benefits: Th e n umbe r of wa terpro ofing companies is India is almost 200 as No understructure needed especially wooden rafters which are compared to just 20-30 cement expensive. companies. This breaks the myth of Livelihood generation for local potters. cement roofs being waterproof. Appropriate for weather extremes of hot and dry climate - the conical tile has an air cavity and the broken china skin reduces heat ingress. Cost effective Rs.65 per square feet till 12 feet span which is around 75% of conventional option. - Sameer Kurvey

har awaas prakriti ke paas

har awaas prakriti ke paas

Durable, stable and monkey proof load carrying capacity of 1500 kg per sq.m. Wall Infill construction technique using manually moulded earth blocks with a burnt tile on the walls exterior face to resist deterioration by water. The earth blocks are un-stabilized for affordability and make good use of the local black cotton soil which is expansive in nature. Production is on-site. The blocks cost Rs.3 per piece, including Rs.2 for the tile, 50 paisa for soil and 50 paisa for labour. The block size is 9X9X4. The volume of blocks is equal to 3 bricks. CSV Bamboo House Bamboo that can be grown locally has an enormous potential in ecofriendly and cost effective housing projects. The Bamboo Crete House promoted by CSV is based on the prototype proposed at NIRD. The entire structure is made out of bamboo culms, except for the foundations. Foundations are neither heavy nor deep due to the light bamboo structure, reducing the required quantity of building materials. Few concrete blocks are used at the plinth level for anchoring the bamboo structure and some cement is used for the cement mortar finishing of the walls. The roofing system is entirely obtained from bamboo culms and boards. Bamboo is a fast renewable resource, thus the use of bamboo which is grown locally has a positive environmental impact, preventing both the deforestation and the use of building material with high rates of embodied energy. Rain Water Harvesting and Recharge Besides these practices, it is shown on-campus and in the surrounding areas, how rainwater harvesting can be used for recharging the ground water table, as well as for household use in scarcity periods. Roof water is collected and is used for recharging the ground water. This is done via PVC down-take pipes. Water collected during the first rainfall of the season is allowed to overflow through controllable valve. Subsequent rain water is filtered by an in-built sieve. The filtered water is then directly sent to the bore-well. A section of the plumbing incorporates flushing away mechanism for dirt, leaves, etc. that get collected over the time. This flushing is done once in a week. Depth of the bore-well is about 250 feet. Sanitation Model Covering all the aspects of sanitation, from management of human waste, animal waste, agricultural solid waste as well as rain water harvesting, CSV campus represents an ideal set up of practices aiming at improving the living conditions for humans and preserving the environment as well. A toilet is not just a necessary hygienic device, but also a converter of human waste into manure. Almost all the waste in the villages can be converted into manure, if one thinks of integration of different units as seen in CSV campus. Human waste can be converted into manure; waste water can be systematically reused at village level, thus preventing many forms of contamination and health problems. Sanitation - Household Level The overall approach favours individual toilets over the community toilets because of the social inhibitions connected with maintaining and cleaning somebody elses waste. The following range of 10 sanitation options were demonstrated through sanitation-park in the campus. Treatment Systems Leach-pit/ infiltration pit is the most commonly adopted system out of the various options. This comprises typically of two pits, sized 3 x 3 x 3, which are used alternately. An option of two pits with a common wall was also introduced in addition to pits separated by 1 metre, which would need at least a space of 10 x 10 at the household level. Also, a twin-pit model with

har awaas prakriti ke paas

a modified inspection chamber and a deep slope reduces the distance between the toilet and pits by eliminating the pipe run between the two. Reinforced brick panels have also been used as covers for leach pits. A septic tank of size 7 x 4 x 3 (depth) connected to a single leach pit was another option. From the point of view of suitability and water consumption, the leach pit is considered a better option than the septic tank, which if not constructed with technical accuracy, can frequently be in-effective due to improper sizing and over-flow. In addition, the soak-pit poses a threat of groundwater contamination. An eco-san model was demonstrated in which urine is separated at source and can be re-used as fertilizer with 10 per cent dilution. In anganwadi model toilet was downsized to the scale of children. The model was developed for sanitation in schools and uses discarded glazed ceramic tiles to fashion a pan. The toilet design also allows opening the toilet by an adult standing outside, in case needed. Ownership and comfort level of a child using the toilet is an important design achievement. Toilet Pan An alternative deep pan of 40 degree slope (as compared to conventional 20 degree) and a glazed surface needs only about 2 litres of water for flushing. Also, the conventional water seal is replaced by a flap seal made with GI which also puts off back-flow and odour. Superstructure The following options were demonstrated In-situ ferrocement construction, 1.5 thick with a slight four sided slope in the roof. Half brick thick masonry with a single 6mm bar reinforcement after every two courses to address settlement of superstructure on unstable black cotton soil. The roof comprised of two precast brick panels. Bamboo panels sandwiched with cement mortar. Gray Water Recycling Spilled Water Recycling around Hand Pumps: In order to re-use the water, commonly spilled during collecting water from hand-pumps, the original design is modified and level of the hand pump platform is raised. Spilled water is then directed to twin sedimentation chambers connected to a final collection chamber (for water to be re-used) and a soak pit for occasional de-silting of the sedimentation chamber. For recycling the household water from bathing and cleaning, a pit of 3x3x3 is connected to the bathroom and filled with graded rocks/ boulders to facilitate percolation. This also enables use of the pit space and safety in case of anyone crossing over the pit. Energy Models Non Conventional Energies Improved Chulhas based on Agro-waste (Bio-residue Gasifier Stove): using agro-waste prevents deforestation (it saves more than 300 kg equivalent fuel wood per year). This chulha has higher thermal efficiency of 40 to 50 per cent as compared to traditional ones. It also eliminates indoor air pollution, thus preventing several diseases related to the smoke inhaled by the persons who stay around open chulhas several hours a day. Solar Energy: promotion of basic solar equipments like solar cookers, solar PV street lights, solar PV lantern and solar water heater. Most of the possible uses of solar energy at the village level are shown in the campus. New Bio-gas Technology: the innovative Balaji model plant can use any biodegradable material. The gas obtained is pure (unwanted sulphur compounds (H2S, SO2) are absorbed by a desulfurizer). The plant doesnt require daily water addition and it gets completely submerged in the ground. If 100 per cent sanitation is achieved in South Asia, then there will be no water left for flushing these toilets. We need to rethink about the current water intensive sanitation systems.

Balaji Bio-gas Model Batch type bio-gas plant. Capacity is 10 cu.m. Need to fill in the plant with 20 tonnes of cow dung once in 6 8 months. 6.5 cu.m of gas is generated every day. 1cu.m produces 1.5 KWH. Electricity is generated by an alternator powered by FIAT car engine which runs using bio-gas as the fuel. 10KW electricity is produced by this bio-gas model. De-sulphur box is used to reduce the smell of bio-gas.

har awaas prakriti ke paas

Non-Habitat Based Innovation Rural Industries Another objective of CSV is the promotion of rural industries through several actions. The following rural industries are being promoted: Hand-Made Paper Industries: a project to be implemented for promoting small scale industries while using agro-waste and weeds for producing several kinds of paper and boards. Banana Fibre Paper Technology: CSV has developed a process of making paper and hard boards at a village level using stem of the banana plant. The banana hard board serves as a substitute for wood; it can be used for partition boards, acoustic boards, and roofing panels, etc. The product is being commercially marketed. Under CSVs technical guidance, two small scale units have been established at Gandhigram, Tamil Nadu and Mojri in Maharashtra. Deen Bandhu Bio-gas Model Input cattle refuse, can also be connected to a household toilet. Output gas + slurry (fertilizer for agriculture) A bio-gas plant with the capacity of 3 cu.m is sufficient for a family of 6-7 persons and costs Rs. 12,000 (1 cu.m of refuse is generated by 1 cattle).

Rural Pottery: CSV has tried to revitalize this sector of craft industry by introducing new consumer items in their production. The sheetal pot is a traditional terra-cotta refrigerator in which a small pot is put in a larger pot and the entire structure is covered with a lid. The cavity so formed is filled with water. The inner pot acts as a container for food, which keeps cool due to the evaporation of water from the outer surface (cooling effect). The fabrication of this traditional refrigerator has been improved by making it more resistant and introducing different designs. Other promoted terra-cotta articles are roofing tiles, flooring tiles, wall tiles, irrigation pipes, emitters for drip irrigation, biogas burner, etc. Honey Collection: CSV is working on open air wild bees Apis Dorsata (rock bee) and Apis Florea (small bee) in order to substitute the traditional methods of burning, smoking and squeezing the hive that leads to the massive destruction of the honey bee colonies. 25000 honey hunters have already been trained in non destructive techniques of honey collection. Improved Steel Bullock: The carrying capacity of the improved steel cart is more than double the capacity of a wooden cart. Micro Enterprises The other micro enterprises promoted by CSV include: food processing of natural food stuff, introduced amongst women SHG for preservation, product diversification and value addition; medicinal and aromatic herb processing, introduced amongst farmers and women SHGs; natural dyeing, extensive work is being carried out to use plant species from the forests for natural dying and to promote such micro-enterprises; herbal cosmetics; bio technologies like Spirulina; and organic farming.

DELIVERY MECHANISM
Business model CSV acts as a research and technology promotion centre. They have their own team of highly experienced personnel who execute the Wardha house model and the sanitation model in the project areas. Local labour is employed in every project. The USP of the CSV team is that each member is a specialist in every technology; it promotes decentralization of expertise.

CHALLENGES AND RESPONSES

The primary hurdle that the model faces is the acceptance of the technology. This is primarily due to the perception that mud construction has in rural psyche. Mud houses are considered kutcha and non-durable and have a backward image attached to them. CSV as a policy undertakes complete house construction and not just roof/wall construction to ensure quality control. CSV has faced immense problems in getting the technology approved for the government projects as the technology has still not been included in the CPWD rates list. Inspite of this the Wardha house model has been adopted by various government departments like NIRD, Education Department, Maharashtra, Forest Department, PWD, Police Department, CPWD. They have undertaken training programmes in the past but do not have any ongoing programme.