“Promotion of Bio-energy plantation and Bio-diesel Extraction”
Project in Mannadipet Commune, Pondicherry.

The Project on “Promotion of Bio-energy plantation and Bio-fuel extraction” was sanctioned and Memorandum of Understanding is signed on 4th of March 2005 by and between Palmyra, Aurobrindavan, Auroville represented by Mr. Jurgen Putz, as Project Director and the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), Pondicherry Union Territory, represented by its Project Director, Mr.P.Mathew Samuel.

The project introduction meeting was held on 25th Feb.2005 at Secretariat, Pondicherry under the Chairmanship of Mr.R.Hemachandiran, Secretary to Government. The Project Director, DRDA, the Project Officer, DRDA, the Block Development Officer, Villianur, the Commissioner, Mannadipet Commune and the project implementing team from Palmyra, Auroville were represented and discussed

Reason to take up this project

In India, oils extracted from seeds of different species have been traditionally used as a source of energy for lighting and heating. Gradually these oils were used for more valuable purposes such as production of soap, candle, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. In the past, the use of these oils as a substitute for diesel was not encouraging because diesel was available at a much cheaper price. No with the increasing price of petroleum products and increasing concern on oil pollution, vegetable oils are likely to have a permanent demand from the automobile industry in the future.

It is also heartening to note that work has already been initiated in India to standardise the technique of esterification to convert oil into bio diesel. This has now encouraged scientists and farmers to grow oilseed-yielding species as an economically viable activity, particularly to develop marginal and wastelands lying under-utilised in the country.

Plantations

As on 31st March 2006, 56,000 seedlings of Jatropha curcas-Kattamanakku (40,000), Pongamia pinnata-Pungan (6,000), Calophyllum inophyllum-Pinnai (8,000), Azadirachta indica-Neem(2,000) were grown in Sorapet nursery. Out of this, 38,285 seedlings were planted in common lands with the help of local Women Self Help Groups, Youth groups and School students in the following villages.

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