Himachal Pradesh sets up plant that turns weed into fuel

By Jaskaran Singh
DHARAMSHALA: Hoshiyar Singh, an independent MLA from Dehra constituency of Kangra district, has come up with a biomass briquette machine to eradicate lantana bush. The machine may also help curb stubble burning.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Singh said the machine was designed with the help of Indian Institute of Technology in Mandi and Emerson Engineering Private Limited.
“Machine crushes lantana plants and other biomass into a powdery substance, which is converted into briquettes that can be used as fuel in cement plants, furnaces and boilers,” he added.
According to him, lantana plant wood has a high calorific (CF) value — the energy contained in fuel.
Singh said he has set up the first unit at Dhaliara area of Dehra where a prototype of the machine has been installed. The machine can also be transported to remote areas as it is attached to a tractor and run on its engine.
The project was envisaged with the primary objective to eradicate lantana bush, a weed that affects 60% of agricultural land in Himachal and pine needles, said Singh.
He said not only lantana bush but other biomass and even the stubble can also be converted into the briquettes by using the machine.
“The state government has approved a proposal to set up 25 such units throughout the state,” said the 53-year-old MLA.
He said the project will also help the people to generate income as they can sell the biomass to the briquetting unit at a price of Rs 100/per quintal.
This will also help curb the pollution caused due to the burning of the weeds.