World Biogas Association gives Meenesh Shah inaugural global biogas leadership award
Dr Meenesh Shah received the new distinction during an awards ceremony at The Vox, part of Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre, in the United Kingdom. The World Biogas Association said the award recognises strategic leadership in developing the global biogas sector. Dr Shah is its first recipient.
The National Dairy Development Board has developed several dairy-based circular-economy models under Dr Shah’s leadership. These initiatives use cattle dung to produce clean energy for farmers, heat and electricity for dairy plants, compressed biogas, organic fertilisers and carbon credits.
NDDB has also developed manure-management systems at different scales. They include household biogas units, community biogas facilities and larger biogas and compressed-biogas projects. The board has formed partnerships with organisations in India and abroad to support the adoption of these systems.
In his remarks, Dr Shah said he was honoured by the recognition and attributed it to dairy farmers and co-operative institutions that had adopted sustainable practices. He said dung and agricultural residues should be treated as resources when properly used, rather than as waste. He also said NDDB was committed to developing a circular dairy economy by converting cattle dung into clean energy and organic fertilisers.
According to NDDB, its models are intended to provide farmers with additional income while supporting renewable-energy production, soil health and lower methane emissions. The board also links the initiatives to India’s climate commitments and energy-security goals.
The AD & Biogas Industry Awards are organised jointly by the World Biogas Association and the Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association. Held annually during the World Biogas Expo, they recognise organisations, projects and individuals in the anaerobic-digestion and biogas industries for innovation, sustainability and leadership.
The World Biogas Association represents the anaerobic-digestion, biogas and landfill-gas industries. It works with governments, companies, financial institutions and international organisations and promotes biogas in connection with clean energy, waste management, climate action and the circular economy. The association marked its tenth anniversary in 2026.
