THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Thiruvananthapuram Zoo has been generating several tons of spotted deer dung, vermicompost and dried leaves which are good fertilizers for all types of plants. But the Zoo authorities realized that not many city dwellers were aware that these could be procured at a paltry sum. With the mushrooming of organic farming in Government institutions, several organisations have come forward to take the spotted deer dung for vegetable farming. But still there are several tons of manure remaining next to the vermicompost unit attached to the rhinoceros enclosure.
According to the Zoo superintendent T. V. Anil Kumar, there are more than three tons of manure currently available which can be used for gardening. “We are selling spotted deer dung which is dried and powdered for '6.60 per kilo. While the vermicompost is available for Rs 9.90 per kilo, the dried leaves can be provided for Rs 3- Rs 5. The maximum the Government organisations are taking every month is 40 kilo – 50 kilo leaving surplus manure”, said Mr. Anil Kumar. Zoo authorities feared that since the dried leaves were accumulating daily, there was a possible danger of dried leaves catching fire. At one stage, they even thought of giving the dried leaves manure free of cost.
It is excellent for rose plant cultivation where it absorbs the moisture well enriching the plant. The other two manures – vermicompost and spotted deer dung are also suitable for all types of vegetable farming. K. Gangadharan, Museum and Zoo director told DC that until recently the 2500-odd potted plants kept at the spacious 20 plus acre museum premises relied on organic manure from outside. “But once we realized the potential of our own resources being wasted, there was no looking back. Now all the potted plants and the trees that require manure are getting adequate supply within our premises. By next year, we plan to develop the manure on a large scale so as to make it a viable earning option”, said Mr. Gangadharan.
