CSIR - Central Building Research Institute

CSIR SMART Village Mission Mode Project
Bulletin 7: Cultivating Prosperity through Mentha Farming: CSIR-CIMAP’s Smart Village Initiative in Kusunpur Village, Kendrapara, Odisha.

Pleased to share that under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Smart Village Mission, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP) is actively working towards sustainable rural development in Kusunpur village, Kendrapara district, Odisha.

Through scientific agriculture, medicinal & aromatic crop promotion, soil analysis, farmer engagement, and women/youth empowerment initiatives, the mission is creating new livelihood opportunities and strengthening rural self-reliance.

A major milestone has been the successful cultivation of Mentha using improved planting material and scientific guidance, opening pathways for higher-value farming and entrepreneurship. Training programs on vermicomposting, incense-making from flowers, and value-added rural enterprises are also being introduced to support community-based economic growth.

It is inspiring to witness how science, innovation, and community participation can together transform rural ecosystems into models of sustainable development.



CSIR, India; Ramancharla Pradeep Kumar; Department of Science and Technology, Government of India; Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India; Government of Odisha;

CSIR-CBRI Technology: Internal fuel-based low-carbon burnt clay bricks with criss-cross brick setting technology

India’s brick industry produces nearly 200 billion bricks annually, but at a high environmental cost — high coal consumption, CO₂ emissions, and particulate pollution.

An innovative approach using internal fuel-based low-carbon burnt clay bricks with criss-cross brick setting technology is showing a sustainable pathway forward. By mixing agricultural residues, reject coal, pond ash, and other low-cost fuels directly into the clay, the firing process becomes more energy-efficient while substantially reducing emissions.

Key benefits include:
• Up to 30% reduction in fuel consumption
• Significant reduction in CO₂ and SPM emissions
• Productive utilization of industrial and agricultural waste
• Improved brick quality and kiln efficiency
• Reduced dependence on expensive fossil fuels

Such technologies can play a transformative role in making India’s construction materials sector cleaner, more resource-efficient, and environmentally responsible.
Kudos to the researchers and industry partners driving sustainable innovation in the brick kiln sector.

CSIR-CBRI Congratulates Dr Neeraj Jain and his team at the Building Materials & Environmental Sustainability (BMES) group for this innovative work.



CSIR, India; Ramancharla Pradeep Kumar; Department of Science and Technology, Government of India; Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs; Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India;

CSIR-CBRI Technology: Transforming Sustainable Comfort in India’s High-Altitude Regions

Proud to highlight an innovative breakthrough by CSIR-Central Building Research Institute — the Hybrid Solar-Assisted Space Conditioning and Water Heating System, designed specifically for extreme cold-climate regions such as Ladakh, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh.

This advanced system intelligently combines:
· Solar thermal energy
· Heat pump technology
· Eco-friendly refrigerants
· Smart energy-efficient design
to provide:
· Space heating & cooling
· Reliable domestic hot water supply
· Efficient operation even in sub-zero temperatures
Key Highlights:
· Up to 75% energy savings compared to conventional electric geysers and split AC systems
· Hot water generation capacity of 1,000–2,000 litres/day
· Estimated payback period is low
· Operational lifespan of 15–20 years
· Reduced greenhouse gas emissions and indoor air pollution
The system has already demonstrated successful performance at:
· ITBP, Leh (~12,000 ft altitude)
· Kalpa, Himachal Pradesh (~10,000 ft altitude)
Beyond energy efficiency, this innovation directly supports:
· India’s Net Zero goals
· Sustainable and resilient infrastructure
· Cleaner indoor air and improved public health
· Renewable energy adoption in remote regions

This is a strong example of how indigenous R&D can address critical challenges in climate resilience, clean energy access, and sustainable building technologies for some of India’s most demanding environments.

Kudos to the researchers and engineers at Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and CSIR-Central Building Research Institute for advancing future-ready solutions for resilient habitats.

CSIR-CBRI Congratulates Dr. Chandan Swaroop Meena and his team at Architecture Planning & Energy Efficiency group.



CSIR, India; Ramancharla Pradeep Kumar ; Dr-Chandan Swaroop Meena; Ministry of Earth Sciences Government of India;