During Independence Day celebrations on August 15, people across the country wear tricolor chest badges to demonstrate their patriotic spirit. However, once the festivities conclude, plastic badges are frequently seen scattered on roads, drainage channels, and garbage piles, causing environmental damage and disrespecting the national flag. Addressing this concern, Maa Shakambhari Kanha Upvan Gaushala in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, has introduced an innovative solution by producing eco-friendly tricolor chest badges made from pure cow dung. Favored by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, this shelter presents a meaningful blend of environmental awareness and national pride.
Dissolves in Soil to Become Natural Fertilizer for Plants
The highlighted advantage of this cow dung tricolor chest badge is that it is 100 percent biodegradable. Following the conclusion of Independence Day events, citizens do not need to discard these badges as waste. Instead, the badge can be placed in home garden pots, plant beds, or soil. Upon contact with water and soil, the badge completely dissolves and converts into high-quality organic fertilizer for plants. This initiative prevents plastic pollution while upholding the dignity and honor of the national flag.
Demand Expands from 1000 Pilot Units to 5000 Badges
Veterinary and Welfare Officer Dr. Sandeep Mishra noted that this effort connecting nationalism with environmental conservation has been ongoing for the past three years. The project was launched as a pilot program in 2024, during which 1000 tricolor chest badges were manufactured. Following enthusiastic public feedback, demand grew to 3000 badges last year. For this year's Independence Day celebrations, production has scaled up significantly to meet a target of nearly 5000 badges.
Affordable Pricing with Availability on Amazon and Flipkart
The cow dung tricolor badge features refined artistic finishing and an appealing appearance. It has been priced affordably so that citizens can adopt it without financial strain. Beyond local over-the-counter sales, nationwide orders have been pouring in. To facilitate easy access across India, the product has been made available on major e-commerce platforms including Amazon and Flipkart.
Global Recognition, GMP Certification, and World Record Distinction
Operated by Nagar Nigam Saharanpur, Maa Shakambhari Kanha Upvan Gaushala currently shelters 547 cattle. The shelter has earned substantial national and international accolades for its operational practices. It holds a World Record as the only cow shelter globally to receive such an honor. Furthermore, it is the first cow shelter in India to be awarded the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certification, alongside holding ISO certification and the IBR Achiever Award from the India Book of Records.
Over 20 Eco-Friendly Products Power UP's Top Self-Reliant Gaushala
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has personally visited the shelter and appreciated its sustainable product line. Kanha Upvan Gaushala manufactures more than 20 items using cow dung and cow urine, such as incense sticks, decorative idols, oil lamps, organic manure, and biopesticides. Revenue generated from product sales covers the entire daily operational expenses of the shelter, establishing it as the number one self-reliant gaushala in Uttar Pradesh.
