ExpressBuzz reports that the civic body is looking into the possibilities of setting up a plant exclusively for the treatment of chicken waste. “In other major cities, there are plants that treat chicken and mutton waste to manufacture pet food. We are planning to set up a plant for treating the chicken waste and to make pet food especially for ornamental fishes. The other option is to look into the possibility of making dog biscuit out of the treated chicken waste,” said a top official with the Kochi Corporation.

He said a special team of the Kochi Corporation Health Standing Committee will conduct a detailed study into the prospects of setting up one such plant in the city. “The plan is in the initial stages. We are hopeful that it will materialise as it will ensure regular and systematic collection and proper disposal of poultry waste. The chicken stall owners will also cooperate with us as they are at present striving hard to find a solution to dispose of the chicken waste,” he added. The Corporation will also make it mandatory to set up bio-gas plants attached to every chicken stall in the city.

“We will make it mandatory to procure a licence for setting up chicken stalls. Every chicken stall should install bio-gas plant on its premises and should treat the waste generated at source. The licence of the shops that do not have such units will be cancelled,” he added.

The official said the licence system will be introduced in this financial year itself. “The setting up of bio-gas units will not be a big problem to these stall owners. They do not have to install plants with huge capacity but can opt for ones of smaller size. It will not be much space-consuming too,” he said.