Biogas typically refers to a gas produced by the biological breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen.  It is generally produced utilizing anaerobic digesters. These plants can be fed with energy crops such as maize silage or biodegradable wastes including sewage sludge and food waste.

The news from India is a biogas crematorium, the first of its kind in the Thanjavur region, was inaugurated here under the aegis of the Nagapattinam Municipality on Wednesday. Biogas crematorium, conceived by the government at all district headquarters under the respective municipalities, has been set up on the Sellur road, and is to become functional from Friday.

The unit sanctioned three years ago, at a cumulative cost of Rs.40 lakh, funded equally by the State government and the Nagapattinam Municipality, has been set up under the part II scheme of the municipality.

“There are around 19 or 20 municipalities in the entire Thanjavur region, and we have concluded the project and commenced its operations,” K. Sivakumar, Municipal Commissioner, told The Hindu.

The cremation fee is quoted at Rs.1,500, which if is currency conversion calculators are right is about $35.00 Australian!

The full story is here...