DU College Principal’s Viral Cow Dung Video: What’s The Science Behind Applying Cow Dung & Cooling? – News18

Last Updated:April 16, 2025, 21:58 IST

Cow dung, when used as plaster or in bricks, acts as a natural insulator, preventing external heat absorption and maintaining cooler interiors in summer and warmer ones in winter.

For centuries, using cow dung in construction has been a traditional practice, particularly in rural India. Recently, Dr. Pratyush Vatsala, the principal of Delhi University’s Laxmibai College, was observed applying cow dung to a wall with the assistance of a staff member. Following this, Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) president Ronak Khatri on Tuesday smeared cow dung on Vatsala’s office walls in protest. While this is an unusual sight in a college setting, it highlights the resurgence of interest in this traditional building material.

People in rural India have utilised cow dung for plastering walls and floors across generations as it offers a natural substitute for concrete and other modern materials. Its value lies not only in its affordability and availability but also in its effectiveness as an insulator and a binder, and its antimicrobial qualities. Homes coated with cow dung remain cooler in summer and warmer in winter, ideal for India’s varied climate.

Composed of cow dung and soil, the bricks block up to 70 per cent of external heat from entering homes, particularly effective in hot climates. The temperature can reportedly see a drop of up to 7°C inside homes layered with Vedic Plaster, significantly cutting down the need for air conditioning. “Villagers had abandoned the practice, but cow dung kept homes cooler in summer and insulated them in winter,” Dr. Shivdarshan Malik, a former professor turned environmental innovator, told The Better India.

When mixed with mud and applied to walls or floors, cow dung forms a smooth, crack-resistant surface that can hold bricks together and prevent dust accumulation. Additionally, its antimicrobial properties provide natural protection against pathogens. Traditionally, coating walls and floors with cow dung was seen as a method to maintain clean and disease-free living spaces.