BonV Aero, a deep-tech startup, is expanding its focus to environmental applications by deploying electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) to address solid waste accumulation in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). These UAVs, initially designed for military logistics, are now being repurposed to transport plastic and other non-biodegradable waste from remote, high-altitude areas. Inaccessibility due to steep terrain and adverse weather conditions has long made conventional waste collection methods unviable, prompting the need for alternative transport solutions.

This surge has exposed the limitations of existing systems. “Managing waste in these regions is a logistical issue,” said Satyabrata Satapathy, Co-Founder and CEO of BonV Aero. Our UAVs are designed for operations in difficult terrain where conventional transport is impossible.”

According to estimates, the IHR—spanning 13 states—generates between 1.9 and 8 million metric tonnes of solid waste annually. With growing tourism and pilgrimage activity in areas such as Kedarnath, Badrinath, Manali, Leh and Spiti Valley, the volume of waste, especially from single-use plastics, continues to rise during peak seasons.

To address this, the startup has adapted its platforms, such as the Air ORCA, which can carry up to 20 kg and was tested at Umling La Pass—19,024 feet above mean sea level. Complementing it is the Air Pelican, with a 50 kg payload, currently under trial with the Indian Army. A new variant supporting 25 kg has also been developed for broader use.

Building on these capabilities, BonV Aero is now in talks with state governments, NGOs and waste management companies to initiate pilot missions focused on aerial waste evacuation in vulnerable mountain regions.

“Our UAVs serve multiple roles, including disaster response and waste management,” said Co-Founder & CTO Abinash Sahoo. “We are open to partnerships with public and private stakeholders to implement this solution.”

This initiative reflects a broader trend of dual-use innovation, where defence-origin technologies are adapted for civil applications to address infrastructure and environmental challenges in remote areas.

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