Harit Dhara - Environment Notes

Harit Dhara, an anti-methanogenic feed supplement, was created by an Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) institute. It is derived from tannin-rich plant sources. Tannins, bitter and astringent chemical substances found in tropical plants have been shown to inhibit or eliminate protozoa from the rumen. This supplement can reduce methane emissions from cattle by 17-20% while simultaneously increasing milk output. This article explains about Harit Dhara which is important for UPSC IAS exam preparation.

What is Harit Dhara?

• The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has created 'Harit Dhara' (HD), an anti-Methanogenic feed supplement.
• Harit Dhara is made from condensed and hydrolysable tannin-rich plant-based sources that are prevalent in the nation.
• It modifies the content of the volatile fatty acids produced by rumen fermentation (together with hydrogen and CO2).
• It costs about Rs 6/kg and should only be offered to animals over three months old with a fully developed rumen.
• When given to cattle and sheep, it reduces methane emissions by 17-20%.
• It also causes increased milk production and body weight growth.

Harit Dhara - Significance

• Fermentation continues, and increased propionic acid synthesis, now in proportion to acetic and butyric acid, supplies much of the energy for lactose (milk sugar) production and body weight gain from Harit Dhara feeding.
• Harit Dhara works by reducing the population of protozoa microorganisms in the rumen, which are responsible for producing hydrogen and making it accessible to the archaea for CO2 reduction to methane.
• Reduces methane production: In India, an average breastfeeding cow or buffalo releases roughly 200 litres of methane per day, whereas young developing heifers emit 85-95 litres and adult sheep emit 20-25 litres. Feeding Harit Dhara can cut them in half.

Conclusion

Cattles in India typically produce 50–100% more methane than their counterparts in industrialised countries who are fed concentrates, silages, and green fodder that are more readily fermentable and digestible. This is because Indian livestock are primarily fed on agricultural residues such as wheat/paddy straw and maize, sorghum, or bajra stover. The Harit Dhara (HD) anti-methanogenic feed additive was created by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), and it can increase milk output while reducing the methane emissions from cattle by 17 to 20%.

FAQs

MCQs

Question: Which of the following statements is/are correct about the deposits of ‘methane hydrate’? (2019)

1. Global warming might trigger the release of methane gas from these deposits.
2. Large deposits of ‘methane hydrate’ are found in Arctic Tundra and under the sea floor.
3. Methane in the atmosphere oxidised to carbon dioxide after a decade or two.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Question: Consider the following: (UPSC 2019)

1. Carbon monoxide
2. Methane
3. Ozone
4. Sulphur dioxide

Which of the above are released into the atmosphere due to the burning of crop/biomass residue?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2, 3 and 4 only

(c) 1 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4