Non Conventional Energy Sources in the Tribal Sub Plan Areas of Assam

Abstract

The study sponsored by the Assam State Council of Science, Technology and Environment was conducted by the Directorate of AIRTSC. The study covered 773 households in 15 villages which falls under Integrated Tribal Development Project. These villages are inhabited mostly by Tribal people belonging to different communities like the Bodo Kacharis, Dimasa, Mising, Rabha, Sonowal Kachari ands Tiwas. Various aspects of non conventional energy have been examined to understand its impact on the study population. Firewood is used extensively by the rural population as a source of energy for cooking, keeping warm during winter season and other purposes. The use of timbers from forest has led to depletion of natural resources which in turn has led to deforestation and other ills. The objectives of the study is to ascertain how non conventional energy sources like bio-gas , improved chulas, etc., can be beneficial to Tribal Sub plan Areas and to analyse and provide solution to the problems that might arise as a result of the introduction of this new technology . The study touched on two important aspects of non-conventional energy - Bio Gas or gobar gas and its technological development in Assam. Due to its several positive characteristics, bio-gas as a form of energy has been encouraged among rural population. Findings of the study recommends that technical knowledge on how to run the bio-gas Plant be imparted to the beneficiaries along with financial and material incentives. Creating awareness on the economic and health benefit may encourage people to switch to alternative energy sources. In addition, this may motivate them to protect the forest by refraining from cutting trees for the purpose of fuel. In areas where installation of Bio-gas is not possible, introduction of improved chulas can be an alternative solution. Different departments like the DRDA, Veterinary, Animal and Husbandry need to be involved to make the scheme successful.