author(s)
SS Parihar, KPS Saini, GP Lakhani, A Jain, B Roy, S Ghosh and Bhavna Aharwal

abstract
Livestock Waste" means livestock excreta, bedding material, rain or other water, soil, hair, feathers or other debris normally included in animal waste handling operations. Improperly managed livestock wastes can lead to fecal contamination of waters receiving agricultural runoff. The danger to humans lies in the possibility of these fecal organisms entering water and food supplies. Groundwater and surface waters may harbour pathogens originating from animal fecal deposits. Animal waste contains many beneficial constituents that if recycled effectively, can be used as fertilizer for crops, fodder for animals and to produce energy. Composting is an accelerated bio-oxidation of organic matter passing through a thermophilic stage (45 to 65 ºC) where microorganisms (mainly bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes) liberate heat, carbon dioxide and water. There are a number of methods of livestock waste management which are biogas production, rotatory drum composting, vermicomposting, biodynamic fertilizer etc. Biogas is clean environment friendly fuel that can be obtained by anaerobic digestion of animal residues and domestic and farm wastes, abundantly available in the countryside. Biogas is bacterial conversion of organic matter in to gases under anaerobic conditions. Average calorific value of biogas is 20MJ/m3 (4713kcal/m3). The earthworm eats the organic matter and excrete little pelleted material called “Vermicompost”. During vermicomposting, the important plant nutrients, such as N, P, K, and Ca present in the organic waste are released and converted into forms that are more soluble and available to the plants. Among all advance methods biogas production and vermicomposting are most common in India.