Leaf litter & organic waste The first settlers of Auroville
found barren wasteland devoid of topsoil, organic matter and
plant life. Many settlements were started by drilling a well,
putting up protective fencing, and then planting and watering.
Climatic conditions are such that development of biomass is
abundant wherever land is fenced against stray cattle and
protected against theft and inconsiderate exploitation.
Composting of leaf litter and organic waste is therefore fairly
common in Auroville. Many community settlements and households
have a composting site, either arranged in a pit for anaerobic
composting, or in a heap or windrow for aerobic composting.
Anaerobic composting is, apart from digging a pit, practically
labour-free. After many months - up to one year - the pit can be
emptied and will yield a fairly well-matured compost. Depending
on the season and the actual rainfall during the composting
time, the end product may still have smelly anaerobic lumps and
not be pleasant to handle. It might no