Brewing Biogas in Haturlim: How One Goan Family is Turning Waste into Worth
In the quiet village of Haturlim, nestled in the lush green belt of Mayem, something revolutionary is bubbling—quite literally. It doesn’t roar like factory chimneys or glow like solar panels. Instead, it hums softly in the backyard of Rupesh Chopdekar’s home, where banana leaves sway nearby and curious neighbors occasionally stop to peek over the wall. It’s Goa’s first domestic biogas plant — and it’s cooking up far more than meals.
Rupesh, with his sleeves rolled up and eyes gleaming with purpose, isn’t just stirring the pot at home — he’s steering a shift in mindset across his community. While two colleges in Goa — Shiroda and Arambol — have dabbled in this green energy, Rupesh and his family are the first household in the entire state to install and actively run a biogas unit. And what began as an experiment has now become the cornerstone of their sustainable lifestyle.
Fueling the Future, One Banana Peel at a Time
Installed right in his courtyard, the 2-cubic-metre biogas plant is designed to process up to 5 kg of kitchen waste a day, converting what would’ve been trash into up to two hours of clean cooking gas. No elaborate infrastructure, no shelter, no special pampering required — just kitchen scraps, some water, and the sun or rain doing its thing. Even Goa’s moody monsoons can’t dampen the flame it fuels.
“It’s been over a year, and not a single issue,” says Rupesh, sounding more like a proud parent than a homeowner. “No maintenance, no smell — just good, clean energy.”
The plant is blessedly low-maintenance. After an initial inoculation of 150 kg of cow dung and 1,000 litres of water to introduce anaerobic bacteria — the microscopic chefs of this eco-kitchen — the system simply requires daily feeding of waste and water in equal amounts. Three weeks later? You’re cooking.
From Gas to Garden: Nothing Goes to Waste
What’s more, the plant produces five litres of nutrient-rich slurry daily — a golden potion for plants, as Rupesh puts it. “It’s like multivitamins for my garden,” he laughs, motioning towards his lush potted herbs and smiling hibiscus. The family’s LPG consumption has halved, and so has their contribution to Goa’s growing wet waste problem.
“There’s zero odour,” Rupesh assures, noting that the entire process happens within a sealed chamber. “Even the cows seem impressed.”
A Movement Begins in the Backyard
The ripple effect has already begun. Neighbors who once tossed waste carelessly are now walking up to Rupesh’s home, biodegradable bags in hand, eager to contribute and curious to learn. Haturlim’s lanes — once speckled with litter — are cleaner. Conversations at local tea stalls now meander from monsoons to methane.
Behind this success story stands the New India Multipurpose Cooperative Society (NIMS), which facilitated the installation. Managing Director Samir Morajkar and Chairman Adv. Tanaji Sawant ensured Rupesh’s plant was subsidized, bringing the initial cost of ₹65,000 down by almost half. NIMS installation in-charge, Rajesh Gauns, remains the go-to biogas guru in the area.
“There’s even a larger version,” Gauns mentions. “Seven cubic metres, 12 kg of daily waste, four hours of gas, 30 litres of slurry. ₹1 lakh. Completely eco-friendly and rat-resistant. We’re ready when the people are.”
Waste Not, Want Not: A Philosophy in Action
For the Chopdekar family, the plant is more than a piece of tech — it’s a teacher. It’s taught them patience, rhythm, and the joy of seeing nature return the favour. “We installed it as a trial,” Rupesh says, “but now, it’s an essential part of our lives. Clean cooking, thriving plants, less garbage, and a sense that we’re doing something right — what more do you want?”
And perhaps that’s the biggest takeaway. Sustainability isn’t always about large policies or sweeping reforms. Sometimes, it starts in a small Goan village, with a bucket of waste, a belief in better, and a gas stove hissing happily in response.
If each village had a Chopdekar, maybe landfills would shrink, gardens would bloom, and the air would smell just a bit sweeter.