ABSTRACT
An ever-increasing population of the globe, presently exhausted land and water resources, enhanced rate of urbanization, non-stopping changes in versatile lifestyle, innovations in science and technology and modern developments in industries demand a search for newer agricultural resources to meet requirements of the 21st century and the time ahead. Sludge is a heavily renewable source that can be very useful byproduct of the industry for the present and future. It has potential uses in many sectors; agriculture, rangelands, forestry, greening deserts and wastelands, construction industry, biofuel, and energy. It can successfully be used for reclamation of degraded soils, as manures and fertilizers, stabilization of sand dunes and deserts, growing of plantations on degraded lands and deserts, growing of nurseries, establishing rangelands and forests, production of cement, bricks, and grains for the construction industry, and production of biofuel and energy (electricity and biogas). Still, manifold uses are emerging with the development of technology. However, long-term use of sludge without observing regulations and any remediation has potential risks and threats like soil salinization, and piling of heavy metals and harmful microbes. For tackling potential problems and risks, strict enforcement of regulations and implementation and monitoring systems 138is highly necessary so that the probable harms to humans, animals, soils, and the environment are safeguarded. This will also help to make the use of sludge socially acceptable. The remedial measures and cares during transportation, storage, handling, and application are mandatory whenever sludge is planned to any probable use.
