Internal Research MARCH 2008

Promotion of Alternate Energy Devices to Minimise Forest Degradation: AKRSP ()’s Experience in the and Netrang

Parabolic cooker is one of the latest innovations gaining popularity in many communities

Chandrakant Bhorania, Dheeraj Kapoor, Ajay Mishra and Shailja Kishore

Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) AKRSP(I) a profile

PROGRAMME AREAS OF AKRSP (INDIA)

Bharuch, and Narmada districts are some of the poorest areas in the state of . A very poor tribal community live on undulating and degraded land that was once heavily forested.

Junagadh district on coastal Peninsula faces a problem of salinity due to overexploitation of groundwater. Natural resource are either degraded (like the dry Meghal River) or out of bounds for the tribals and other disadvantaged people (such as around the Gir Protected Area).

Surendranagar district is one of the most drought-prone districts of Gujarat. Most villages in this district face an acute shortage of water.

In MP, AKRSP(I) has begun work in Khandwa and Burhanpur districts which are home to marginalized tribal populations who live in poverty despite the rich natural resources base.

Kutch district is extremely drought prone, AKRSP (India) provides training to organisations coping with drought in the district. It works in collaboration with other AKDN agencies to drought proof several villages. Promotion of Alternate Energy Devices to Minimise Forest Degradation: AKRSP (India)’s Experience in the Junagadh and Netrang

Chandrakant Bhorania, Dheeraj Kapoor, Ajay Mishra and Shailja Kishore

Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India).

Internal Research: March 2008

Promotion of Alternate Energy Devices to Minimise Forest Degradation 15 ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Chandrakant Bhorania,worked as a Programme Specialist at Gadu SHT and was responsible for the implementation of the Bio-gas programme. Dheeraj Kapoor and Ajay Mishra worked as Programme Specialist (Research and Monitoring) AKRSP(India) and was responsible for Gadu and Netrang SHT respectively. Shailja Kishore is currently working as Programme Specialist (Research and Monitoring).

16 Promotion of Alternate Energy Devices to Minimise Forest Degradation FOREWORD

AKRSP(India) has been promoting alternative energy technologies like biogas over the last twenty years and has now constructed more than 10,000 individual biogas plants in the villages of Junagadh and districts. In Bharuch where sanitation is a huge priority also for women, many of these biogas plants are there with individual latrines. This study documents the work done on collabora- tion with village communities and its impact on their lives.

Apoorva Oza Chief Executive Officer

Promotion of Alternate Energy Devices to Minimise Forest Degradation 17 The need for alternative forests by involving local communities. Under this energy devices programme, forest protection committees at the To cook daily meal for the women living in the village level are responsible for protecting the for- rural areas of Junagadh, especially around the est areas as well as fulfilling the fuel, fodder and periphery of Gir forest and the forest/Tribal ar- other minor forest produce needs of the commu- eas of Netrang, they have to spend half of their nities. This barter system has been implemented day walking long distances in search of fuel in many states by the forest department and in a wood. The lucky ones come back home with a few cases by NGOs. head load of wood, while others bear the brunt of the forest officials’ stick. To avoid this, these About the Area women leave their house in the midnight and Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (India) has return back early morning. Some of them have been working in Gujarat since 21 years and Natu- even lost their lives for venturing into the forbid- ral Resource Management the been the one of its den areas of the Gir forest. The constant confron- key function areas where we have been focusing tation between the village communities and the specially with the poor and the deprived. This forest department personnel’s at the forest pe- issue focuses on the peripheral area of Gir forest riphery had reach to dangerous level of confron- and the tribal areas of the Narmada Bharuch & tation. Surat District.

If you thought that the drudgery of women ends Junagadh area : The Gir National park, an im- here, then you need to step into their kitchens, portant ecological resource is located in the which would be better described as smoke holes, Kathiawar Peninsular in the region which lacks proper light and ventilation facili- of the Gujarat state. The protected area (the last ties. It’s worst with the lower economic group as home of the Asiatic lion) covers 1412 Sq .km out they don’t have a separate kitchen & a corner of of which 258 Sq. Km is demarcated as the Na- the living room is used as a kitchen. tional Park and the remaining area is under the Sanctuary. Gir forests located in the Junagadh According to National Council of Applied Eco- district are home to the last population of the nomic Research (NCAER), over 90 per cent of Asiatic lions in the world. The four talukas of the energy needs of the rural domestic sector are (Talala, Mendarda, and Malia) met by biomass resources – fuel wood account- falling in the Gir (West) zone are selected as the ing for 56%, animal dung for 21% and crop resi- project area where AKRSPI is operational since due for 16%. last many years. This situation has worsened as depleting non- The increasing population pressure in the area renewable energy sources have eroded into these has resulted in the destruction of hundred of meagre sources of biomass fuels of rural India. acres of forest land. Village common lands have Therefore women now use inferior fuels like poor become virtually barren because of over grazing. quality wood, shrubs, weeds and dung cakes. The National Park serves as a major resource base Joint Forest Management (JFM) is being looked for the marginalized communities like Siddi (A at as a sustainable solution to the problem. This scheduled tribal community of African origin) new paradigm in community forestry aims at and Maldharis, who are directly dependent upon afforesting, managing and conserving degraded Gir for fuel wood and fodder to sustain their live-

Promotion of Alternate Energy Devices to Minimise Forest Degradation 1 lihoods. These communities suffer from low ag- Although the Bharuch-Surat-Narmada districts ricultural productivity, hence for alternative in- shows a prosperous picture, the other unit of in- come source, the Siddis collect head loads of dry tervention, talukas (administrative blocks) are in wood and sell them in the near by market, while hinterland being one of the most backward and the Maldharis use the forest for grasses for their poorest tribal talukas of Gujarat. The Tribal com- livestock. munity comprises a majority of the population in the area with a share of 90%. Out of the 35 Netrang Area : It covers villages of 4 districts poorest blocks of Gujarat State, AKRSP (I) works namely Narmada, Surat Bharuch & Baroda. It in 7 blocks with Dediapada3 being the poorest spreads from the Satpura hills in the east, to the block in the state . coastal plains. Until recent times, much of the area was well forested with one bear sanctuary The Common Problem : A major problem in the in , abundant with wild life. area is deforestation, which is a result of the es- Now most of the wildlife has disappeared and calating fuel needs of the increasing population. the forests have degraded. 41% of the total popu- To reduce the pressure on forests and their Natu- lation of the area comprises of the Tribal Popula- ral resources, AKRSP (India) is promoting use of tion. The tribes mostly belong to the Bhil group, renewable energy devices such biogas plants as and the major sub-groups of these are the well as working on wasteland development, so- Vasavas in Bharuch and Narmada, and cial forestry, watershed development and joint Chaudharys, Dhodias and Gamits in Surat. Other forest management. minority tribal groups are Tadvis and Kotwalias. During the recent years as an effort on alterna- Agriculture is still the main activity for most of tive energy devises windmills, solar cookers, para- the population. However, many of the small bolic solar cookers and fuel wood-efficient farmers from tribal regions are only seasonal cremation beds have also been introduced. farmers and are forced to migrate for labour work for several months of the year. In AKRSP (India)’s Biogas as an alternative for fuel wood programme area a large population is landless Studies reveal that 44 per cent of women living tribal engaged in cattle rearing and wage/agri- in the peripheral areas of the Gir forest depend culture labour. Apart from this, one of the most on fuel wood, mainly for cooking. Of these disadvantaged tribal communities comprising the women, 61% are landless farmers, 36% own landless Kotwalia subsists from making bamboo unirrigated land and 23% farmers have irriga- articles. tion facility, but they all depend on fuel wood. Surat gets major irrigation benefits, from the Ukai Their consumption increases with distance of fuel 1 dam and now accounts for the highest sugarcane source to about 5 km. production in the state. While the amount of land In 1990, the total fuel wood requirement of 150 classified under forest is quite high in both these villages surrounding Gir forest was 1.15 lakh tons districts, in reality, much of this is highly de- per year, which is equivalent to 4.6 lakh trees. graded forest, or non-existent.

3 Report prepared by Dr.I.G.Patel, 1984). AKRSP (I) works with various tribal groups like Vasavas, Chaudharys, Kotwalias and Gamits. 1 Gir Dependence Survey Report, Prepared by Ajit Chandran for AKRSP (India), September, 2003.

2 Promotion of Alternate Energy Devices to Minimise Forest Degradation This does not include the requirement of 50,000 implementing agencies. During the initial years, tons of industrial traders and fishing boat manu- AKRSP (India) was also the nodal agency for facturers in the region. 2 MNES in Gujarat.

AKRSP (India)’s biogas programme was Similar was the problem also in Netrang area. launched as a response to the ecological crisis Our learning in Junagadh help us facilitate faced by the Gir National Park in 1986 due to much easily in that area during the later phase. increased population pressure and the resultant demand for fuel wood. An exhibition organised by AKRSP (India) to promote alternative energy technology While trying to implement this programme, the major roadblock faced by AKRSP (India) was lack of awareness among the people. Therefore, exhibition was adopted as an important tool to promote alternative energy technologies. The people were told about the manifold advantages of biogas that it was not just about getting gas, but also meant improving the atmosphere at home as these stoves did not emit smoke. The other advantage was that the slurry could be used as organic manure on the degraded soil, which was a result of excessive use of chemical fertiliz- ers. Government’s initiative Biogas technology was launched by the govern- Keeping these factors in mind, AKRSP (India) has ment in 1981-82 in order to conserve and protect been implementing this programme since two the environment. The Ministry of Non Conven- decades with the assistance of its technically tional Energy Sources (MNES) (formerly known qualified civil engineers. Till 2005, the biogas pro- as the Department of Non Conventional Energy gramme reached 5,922 households in 220 villages Sources) has been implementing the biogas pro- of six talukas (Maliya, Talala, Mendarada, gramme through two Central Sector Schemes, , Mangrol and Keshod) in Junagadh. namely, National Project on Biogas Development AKRSP (India) has been installing the family type (NPBD) and Community, Institutional and biogas plants, which has been approved by Min- Night-Soil based Biogas Plant (CBP, IBP & NBP) istry of Non Conventional Energy Sources Programme. The NPBD, which promotes fam- (MNES) under the NPBD scheme. It also gets sub- ily-type biogas plants was initiated in 1981-82 sidy from the Energy Department of Government and provides for inter-alia, central subsidy, turn- of Gujarat. The nodal agency for MNES in key job fee, service charges, training and public- Gujarat is Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation, ity support etc. The CBP, IBP & NBP was started which draws the yearly plan for biogas imple- in 1982-83 to cater to the needs of the commu- mentation in the State and gives subsidy to the nity and institutions.

2 Consultancy report on biogas & Gir Periphery Programmes of AKRSP (India) for AKF (Geneva), Prepared by Karim Alibhai, 21/9/1990 – 27/10/1990.

Promotion of Alternate Energy Devices to Minimise Forest Degradation 3 The contribution strategy for the biogas pro- The AKRSP (India) approach gramme is given in the table below in percent- Implementation Process age. Initially, AKRSP (I) conducts Topical Participa- People Government Donor tory Rural Appraisal exercise, where the concept (this is includes both the (European central and state subsidy). Commission) of biogas is introduced to the villagers. Simulta- 55% 35% 10% neously, the village is assessed for feasibility and potential of biogas implementation and other in- The model of biogas plants installed by AKRSP formation like the names of people, number of (I) is known as ‘Deen Bandhu’ model, which has cattle, water availability, place for construction a modified fixed dome. These models have been and economic condition is collected. approved by MNES and designed by Action for Based on this, the households are classified into Food Production, New Delhi. The capacities of A, B and C category, wherein A signifies high these family-size biogas plants vary from 1 to 6 feasibility, B signifies medium feasibility and C cubic meters (cu m) (there is no model of 5 cu m signifies the lowest feasibility. Accordingly, the capacity). Initially the organisation was imple- biogas programme is taken forward. menting model of capacities of 2, 3, 4 and 6 cu m, however, now the demand has shifted to Community’s Involvement mostly 1, 2 and 3 cu m models due to the reduc- AKRSP (I) implements it’s various programmes ing number of cattle population. The cattle in the through Extension Volunteers (EVs). EVs are lo- region are plummeting due to high maintenance cal people, who are committed towards village cost of cattle, division of joint families and mi- development and are interested in the pro- gration of the younger generation to cities. gramme. Under this programme, their main role

Biogas Plant Capacity Unit Cost is to convince other villagers to utilise biogas 1 cu m Rs 8, 125 plants, distribute materials, maintain stock ledg- 2 cu m Rs 9, 960 ers and supervise construction. They also take 3 cu m Rs 11, 995 villagers on exposure visits to motivate them. As 4 cu m Rs 13, 145 an incentive, these EVs are given Rs 150 for every order placed by villagers. The subsidy (in Rupees) offered by the Centre and the State varies according to the different target Training groups and the present classification given be- Every year, five training programmes are con- low is based on the different sizes of biogas plants. ducted for Extension Volunteers. They are trained technically to ensure proper pit digging before the construction of the biogas plant. They

Size SC/STs Small & Landless Farmers General 1 2345678910 State Centre Total State Centre Total State Centre Total 1. 1100 2800 3900 1000 2800 3900 1000 2100 3100 2. 1100 3500 4600 1000 3500 4500 1000 2700 3100 3. 1100 3500 4600 1000 3500 4500 1000 2700 3700 4. 800 3500 4300 800 3500 4300 800 2700 3500

4 Promotion of Alternate Energy Devices to Minimise Forest Degradation also collect land ownership documents from the agencies. Some of these repairers cater to more panchayat. Besides this, the EVs are trained to than 10 villages and are sure that there will be impart training to the users, where stress is laid no dearth of work as the benefits of biogas plants on repair and maintenance. Till now 30 EVs have are varied and beneficiaries will never discontinue been trained. using them.

A few villagers are identified as masons and then Technicalities of the biogas plant trained in biogas plant construction. Trainers from the Regional Training Centre in Udaipur Components are invited and they conduct a 16-day training 1. Mixing tank and inlet camp. Till date, 40 masons have been trained. 2. Digester 3. Gas holder or gas storage dome Material Management 4. Gas outlet and valve, pipeline, water remov- AKRSP (India) procures all the material in bulk, ers, gas stoves, lamp etc. which reduces the cost of the biogas plant. To promote low-cost accessory material usage, sev- Working eral innovative options like replacing the PVC Biogas is a clean, non-polluting, smoke and soot- pipe with a soft PVC line (to reduce gas leakage) free fuel, containing 55 to 64 per cent methane, have been tried out. which is inflammable. Biogas is produced from cattle dung, human excreta and other organic Maintenance and repair matter put into the biogas plant commonly Maintenance plays a very important role to en- known as ‘Gobar Gas Plant’ through a process sure hassle-free biogas plants. This also provides called digestion. a potential source of income to the local people who have the requisite skills to repair these biogas For best results, cattle dung and water are mixed plants. Therefore, EVs and locals with technical in a tank and the ‘slurry’ is poured into the inlet, knowledge are given repair and maintenance which is connected to the digester. As there is no training. To ensure quick service, these masons air in the digester, the slurry ferments and pro- are also provided with repair kits since 1998. duces biogas. The gas collects in the gas storage dome and flows out through a pipeline from the Monitoring plant to the point of use. At the regular monitoring meetings, EVs report A programme of, for and by women the condition of biogas plants. The AKRSP (I) staff then visit the villages to assess the condition of With experience, AKRSP (India) realised that the biogas plants. In case of any fault, repairers since women were an inevitable part of this pro- are asked to fix it. They charge Rs 25 and for a gramme, they ought to be mainstreamed. Women minor fault and Rs 100 for a major one. This cost SHG’s addressing the issue of drudgery are be- is borne by AKRSP (India) after the site is as- ing formed in the villages. These women from sessed. villages take up the issue of providing biogas plants and other repair and maintenance serv- At present there are five such trained repairers, ices to the villagers. To support their endeavour, who also get additional work from other villages, they were given a series of trainings related to where biogas plants have been installed by other construction, operation, repair and maintenance

Promotion of Alternate Energy Devices to Minimise Forest Degradation 5 of various energy sources such as biogas, solar cooker etc. Thus, biogas plant construction emerged as a major source of employment.

These trained women have in turn conducted users’-cum-motivational trainings in other vil- lages. For this, they arranged mobile film sessions at various villages. This independent effort of these women was very well received by the com- munity. The biggest impact being that most de- funct biogas plants started functioning regularly and the health of the women improved.

Reaping the benefits of the • In villages near the forest, hostility between Biogas Movement the villagers and the forest department over So, biogas emerged to be a single tool that helped fuel wood has reduced considerably. reduce drudgery, improve health and even pro- • Villagers save money as the expense of kero- vide employment. Reduced drudgery was obvi- sene and dung cake has reduced. The saved ous as the women did not have to trudge long quota of kerosene is now used in water pumps distances and they no longer had to bear the instead of diesel. punishment meted out by forest guards. Improved • Digested slurry is used as manure either di- health was the result of a cleaner and smoke-free rectly or after composting it along with other environment at home. The other benefits of the available agro-wastes. As the slurry is kept in Biogas: the biogas plant for 40 days, it is rich in nitro- gen content, which is good for agricultural • It has helped reduce drudgery in women’s production. It increases humidity in the field, lives as it is convenient, reduces pollution which is good for crops. Unlike fresh manure, within the house and saves time spent in fuel it is devoid of weed seeds, which saves addi- collection and cooking. (Time spent in fuel tional labour. wood procurement and cooking has been re- • The slurry does not attract flies and mosqui- duced by at least 50 percent.3 ) toes, thereby, reducing diseases. • Some women spend this saved time with their • Many landless people sell it to make an addi- children and in socialising, while some oth- tional income. ers utilise the time to work on their fields. But the most obvious change is that girls get more Experiences of some of the Users time to study as they don’t have to accom- pany their mothers to collect fuel wood. Rekhaben Kyada from Dedakiyal village, who • There is also an increase in biomass in vari- has been using the biogas plant since a decade, ous areas as there is less dependence on fuel says, “Earlier women did not like to enter the wood. smoke-filled kitchen as it was suffocating and in-

3 Impact Assessment of Biogas Technology submitted to AKRSP (I), Prepared by Tata Energy Research Institute, 1995.

6 Promotion of Alternate Energy Devices to Minimise Forest Degradation duced cough. Now, they can breathe freely and income. Use the slurry in my farm which has re- don’t have to trudge long distances to collect fuel duced my weeding time. Now I don’t have to wood. We are also saved from the wild animals worry about the kitchen as it is taken up by the and can stay indoors during harsh weather.” children as it is easy and convenient.

Jayaben Vaghasia from Akolwadi village, who Pushpaben of village Khambodia, Netrang spent an Rs 3,300 on fuel for cooking, now spends manages the biogas unit all by herself. Even main- just Rs 600. Explaining how she managed to save tenance work is done by her. The family has 11- this amount she says, “The secret is the biogas 12 acres of land, which has been improved plant in my backyard. Earlier, I used 120 liters of through watershed work. Workload on this land kerosene (Rs 1,200), 300 dung cakes (Rs 300) and has more than doubled, hence the reduction in 1,200 kg of fuel wood (Rs 1,800) for cooking. But time spent in fetching firewood and in cooking after the 3 cu m capacity biogas plant has been and cleaning that the biogas unit has brought installed, I spend just Rs 600 on kerosene. As I about, is very welcome for her. As biogas ena- save Rs 2,600 each year, I spend it buy other es- bles easier cooking, her husband agrees to help if sentials for the house.” she has to go for meetings and trainings.

Gita ben Vaghasia from Akolwadi village talks Challenges Faced in of the other advantages of the biogas plant. She Biogas Programme says, “My kitchen and vessels are no longer black. • In summer and monsoon the biogas works This saves a lot of time which was earlier spent well, however, in winter there is a significant in cleaning. Besides, we have an extra room in decrease in supply of gas due to lack of pres- our house which was earlier used to store fuel sure resulting from low temperature. wood and dung cakes. • The Maldharis eat rotla made of bajra and this Bhumiben Bhangabhai Vasava , village - is generally made on an earthen plate. As the Rachwada, Area - Sagbara. Told that “ Bio – Gas earthen plate needs a lot of heat, which is not has reduced my Drudgery ” My bio-gas was con- generated by the biogas plant, the people in structed in 2000 by our SHG. After that my life this region do not opt for biogas plants. has become pretty easy. I have 7 members in my • People living in the periphery villages of Gir family for whom I have to cook and take care of. get fuel wood for free from the forest. This I had to travel up-to 5 kms in search of fuel wood becomes more significant in summer, when in order to feed them three times a day. The people have more time in hand as they have search left me exhausted and dry with regular no work in the fields. Besides, shortage of head ache & body aches. I could hardly give time water and lack of space for construction, dis- to my family; forget about working in the fields. suade people from installing biogas produc- When I become ill, the girls had to go out and I tion. kept worrying all the time till their return, and • In some cases, people cook on electric heaters then cooking they disliked as long trips tired as they draw power from illegal sources. them. • Under the Eco Development Project launched in the late 1990s, the Forest Department dis- Now, I am a completely different women, fresh tributed LPG connections among people re- with full of energy. Take cake of 5 cattle’s which siding within the two km range of the Gir provides input to the plant along with additional forest periphery to prevent deforestation.

Promotion of Alternate Energy Devices to Minimise Forest Degradation 7 • Due to migration, the livestock population is over a period of time were re-started with the dwindling, which means not enough raw ma- help of the Women Groups. terial is available to the biogas plants keep functioning. Year Wise Coverage of Biogas Programme: • As slurry is not covered properly, it is con- Year HH HH HH Total stantly exposed to sunlight and it loses its nu- having having having HH tritive content, thus, becoming ineffective. Bio-gas only biogas having People, therefore, perceive slurry as useless. in Bio-gas with Bio-gas Junagadh in Toilet in in Netrang Netrang Netrang Combating Challenges 1986-87 44 00 00 00 The organisation deals with these challenges by 1987-88 20 00 00 00 constantly citing long-term benefits of the biogas 1988-89 76 00 00 00 1989-90 200 00 00 00 plants. During the introductory stages of the 1990-91 429 00 00 00 biogas programme in a village, motivation meet- 1991-92 500 00 00 00 ings are held. Alternative energy exhibitions are 1992-93 575 49 00 49 organised where models of biogas and other 1993-94 847 61 00 61 forms of alternative energy technologies are 1994-95 911 169 00 169 showcased. Here, the usage and benefits of biogas 1995-96 789 162 00 162 1996-97 723 221 00 221 plants are also demonstrated. Till now, 22 such 1997-98 336 267 00 267 exhibitions have been organised since 2004. At- 1998-99 77 113 00 113 tractive visuals and pamphlets are displayed to 1999-00 76 117 00 117 create an interest among the visitors. The EVs and 2000-01 42 258 00 258 repairers also participate in these exhibitions. 2001-02 52 193 00 193 2002-03 66 152 48 200 As a result of all these efforts and the rising cost 2003-04 42 84 269 353 of LPG, people are considering biogas as an op- 2004-05 72 56 157 213 tion. Interaction with the EVs and repairers en- 2005-06 45 43 246 289 courages people as they are assured of regular Total 5922 1945 720 2665 repair and maintenance. Innovative Approach: Mixing Bio-Gas and The State Government has recently started the H.H. Sanitation (getting two birds with one ‘Jyoti Gram Scheme’, where every village is be- stone,) ing given electricity connections. New tamper- proof meters are being installed. As a result, they The problem: With the depleting of forest, forest may be a rise in demand for biogas plants. Peo- cover also depleted the privacy for open defeca- ple are being advised to keep the slurry covered tion. While undergoing a PRA Exercise in 2001, so that it can be used as manure in their fields. in many villages a particular demand arose from the women i.e. lack of toilet facility or private All these efforts along with awareness of the ben- space for her. This was peculiar, as the toilets con- efits of biogas are generating demand among the structed by government were defunct even people. though the programme was taken with much Special Focus on Operation & Maintenance. Spe- fanfare. This was reinstated by the biogas SHG cial programmes were take up repeatedly to en- members who were also suffering from this par- sure that those units which have closed down ticular problem.

8 Promotion of Alternate Energy Devices to Minimise Forest Degradation Sanitation issues of Tribal Women as Narrated by Parvatiben4

Village Kambodia located in Netrang block of (Gujarat) falls under the Baldeva Irrigation scheme command area. This village also is a centre for Chaswad Dairy. At the first glance it seems relatively better off than other tribal villages. As we move further inside the village however, it presents a different picture altogether. The open drains and garbage dumps make it difficult to walk. People have to walk about 1-1/2 Kms along the fields to relieve themselves in the absence of proper sanitation facilities. Parvatiben one of the founder members of the Mahila Vikas Mandal (women’s development group) of the village, says “Its worse when there are rains as it would have been impossible to walk.” Parvatiben is a 50-55 year old woman and a progressive lady of the village. The only lady to have bought 100 shares of Chaswad cooperative by taking a loan, which finally got her elder son a job at the dairy, as she was the highest shareholder from the village. Parvatiben explains that her grand son has got diarrhoea, and hence he squats anywhere in the house. They resort to cleaning the place with some leaves and spreading sand over it for drying it. Normally however, children would relieve themselves on the roads near a garbage dump.

Discussing further the problems faced on issues of sanitation Parvatiben narrates the woes of the village, “jungle kapai gaya, vasti vadhi gai, Khet-kotar badhe ghar bani gaya. Ava ma beno kyan jaye?” (Jungles have been cut, populations risen, there have been houses constructed everywhere even in ponds and streams, where will the women then go. For men it’s easy they can sit anywhere.) We have to go only in the early morning or night, as there is no other choice she says. Even for bathing it has to be early in the morning, much before the men have risen, as the small kaccha bathroom they have made surrounded by tree leaves and branches is transparent.

When asked why they do not construct a toilet and bathroom in the house the reply comes that neither do we have that much money and nor any such space in the house. Adding up that she was the first to contribute for a biogas plant but has not been able to construct one for lack of space.

Presently Parvatiben’s husband helps her off in times of need, and she believes that her younger daughter-in -law Jamuna is good and would take care of her in future.

So AKRSP (India) conducted a survey in all the ing day by day with almost all the demands com- 8 administrative blocks to gauge the extent of this ing for biogas plant are with toilet. problem. What came out was an eye opener for the organization. In one of the villages, Sarkui The Technology from Mandvi taluka (administrative blocks) of AKRSP (I) builds the biogas plants based on the Surat district, the women said that, even though much adopted Deenabandhu model. The first AKRSP (India) is providing the biogas plant lead- biogas with toilet was constructed on a pilot ba- ing to drudgery reduction of the women, it had sis in village Sarkui of Mandvi taluka of Surat never thought of addressing the issue of proper district in the year 2002. The technology for it sanitation by providing the support in a sustain- was developed by constructing the toilet on a able model of toilet. The team thought and higher level than the biogas plant and linking it brainstormed about it and thus in the year 2002 with plastic pipe of five feet, so another pit for its born the idea of biogas plant with toilet. With a disposal would not be required. The 2M3 biogas modest beginning of 48 toilets in the year 2002, plant requires 25 Kg of dung and 25 liters of the programme has provided a private space to water daily for it to function. Now even after at- about 720 households. The numbers are increas- taching this plant to the toilet the water require- ment for its operation doesn’t need more water

4 Case study from Women’s Voices on Sanitation; Dharmistha Chauhan & Jonakey Dey ; unpublished document of AKRSP(I); 2003.

Promotion of Alternate Energy Devices to Minimise Forest Degradation 9 as it comes from the water used in the toilet by areas even though government have chipped in household. many a times. The need is basically one of the major problems faced by the ladies in the village The wastage in shape of slurry is collected and especially during the monsoons. They say that a kept in a compost pit, which after 3-4 months is secure and private place have become non-exist- used as manure in their fields. The bad odour of ent with the erosion of forest covers. Those who the toilet had been reduced by installing the mod- don’t have access to toilet facility have to be ac- ern toilet tub. After the success of this model it companied by a male person, the old facing the was scaled up gradually as more and more same problem. Now with the construction of women demanded this model. This model is con- these toilets they now feel the safety, personal structed on the traditionally available homestead hygiene, privacy attached to one of the most ba- land in this tribal area known as wada land. The sic needs of human never felt before. For some it biogas plant with toilet provides two way relief’s is like a status symbol as many of their friends to the women, i.e. fulfilling her fuel need and giv- and relatives doesn’t have it. The technology have ing her a private space for relieving herself at her also become easier as women SHG are also ac- convenience. tively involved in the dissemination and imple- mentation of this programme as well as repairing Costs involved and maintaining it. It has become accessible for The cost of a biogas plant with toilet at the present the community even though they perceive the cost rate comes around INR 11500. This price fluctu- is a bit on a higher side but they accept now they ates with the fluctuation of price of bricks and are fully utilizing it. According to Saralaben and cement. The cost of the material and labour comes Sharadaben from village Sarkui and Ramilaben around INR 9000 and INR 2500 respectively. The of Kavachia it is the basic need which has made government provides a subsidy of INR 5100, this programme a success in their respective vil- which is claimed under different heads of alter- lages. nate energy, including from Total Sanitation Increase in Demand for Sanitation Campaign (TSC) providing INR 500 per toilet. 300 269 Biogas Plants with Toilet The process of participation adopted by AKRSP Biogas Plants 250 (I) through women SHG groups and other vil- 246 lage institutions ensures the understanding of the 200 152 community’s need and contribution. The com- 150

Year 157 munity contributes by digging the pit for the 100 56 biogas plant and the foundation of the toilet. They 84 50 also provide the payment to the mason and ma- 48 43 terial such as asbestos roof and iron door for the 0 2002 2003 2004 2005 toilet. The rest amount is provided by European Plants Constructed Commission funding the SCALE project. They say that they have never thought that a Perceptions of community and other model can be used for dual purpose as single pit/ stakeholders double pit model have been failed in the past. The community is united on one stand that sani- The community has a need which is felt as well tation is one of the major problems in the rural as a real, and they feel that although it is an indi-

10 Promotion of Alternate Energy Devices to Minimise Forest Degradation vidual need, the government should be flexible Advantages of the solar cooker in providing the sanitation benefits not a rigid • It is environment friendly as uses concen- one which is usually followed. trated sunlight to generate sufficient heat for cooking. Exploring other options • It reduces dependence on other form of fuels (Solar Cooker) like fuel wood, dung cake, kerosene etc. The tremendous response to the biogas pro- • It acts as a good supplement to biogas and gramme, gave fillip to the alternative energy pro- this is important since some families fulfil their gramme, therefore, other technologies have been energy needs through fuel wood and kero- introduced in the recent years. One of them is sene when they are short of biogas. the solar cooker programme, which was started • The only hitch is that it cannot be used dur- in 2002. ing monsoon and severe winter, but nonethe- less, it is still used by many women. This activity was started to further AKRSP (I)’s cause of reducing dependence on fuel wood, Beneficiaries’ experiences: Nikula Savaliya of dung cake and other fuels like kerosene, by pro- Dedakiyal village says, “The solar cooker saves viding a cleaner and healthier option. Besides, a lot of time. We put the food to cook and in the solar cooker acts as a good supplement to the meantime we can go to our fields or attend to existing biogas plants in the area. other work. By the time we are back, the food it ready. As the food is naturally cooked, the taste Use of solar cookers has been encouraged the al- is better. The nutrition value is also very high. It ternative energy development programme of the also allows us to cook other delicacies on a low Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA), heat.” which provides major subsidy for the technol- ogy. Each unit cost Rs 1,500 for which the ben- Parabolic Solar Cooker eficiary contribution is 50 per cent. This activity Lately, AKRSP (I) has introduced the parabolic has been implemented in 25 villages of the area. cooker, which is a better version of the solar The alternative energy exhibitions are also used cooker. In 2004, two such cookers were installed to provide information and encourage people to in Hiranvel village of Talala block. This cooker adopt solar cookers. EVs play a major role in the has an umbrella-shaped dish, which is adjusted motivation. Each EV is paid incentive of Rs 75 to get the maximum concentration of heat. As it per order. generates better heat, it ensures better and faster cooking. It can also be used in less sunlight. Year Number of Units Installed Beneficiaries’ experiences: According to 2002 86 2003 160 Nirmalaben Karia, a beneficiary from Hiranvel 2004 4(late subsidy declared by GEDA) village, “Now, I am able to cook food in 20 min- 2005 417 utes as compared to two hours needed by the 2006 traditional solar cooker. I can also make chapattis 2007 (May) on it. This was not possible in traditional box so- Total 1372 lar cooker. In the parabolic cooker, I do not need a gas stove for the initial cooking. The food is tasty, nutritious and saves time and other fuels.

Promotion of Alternate Energy Devices to Minimise Forest Degradation 11 Now, I do tailoring jobs in the extra time and Windmill technology has provided hope in the area to deal with the problem of irriga- earn some money.” tion without being dependent of intermittent supply of electricity. A few details The parabolic cooker manufactured by Tata BP Solar India Ltd. is priced at Rs 6,500 for which the people’s contribution is Rs 1,625. The EVs are paid an incentive of Rs 100 for each order. Though the cost may be a little high, villagers are regularly enquiring about this cooker.

Windmill The windmill was introduced to villagers by AKRSP (I) in 2003. One of the major reasons for starting the windmill programme was that elec- tricity connections were not easily available in the area, which falls within the Gir Wildlife Sanc- Working tuary, because of the Wildlife Protection Act, The windmill is about 30 feet high and has a ro- 1972. This had its impact on agriculture as farm- tor connected to the gearbox. The gearbox in turn ers could not draw water from the wells and bores. is connected to a pipeline, which has a rod in it Besides, wherever electricity was available, it was and at the bottom it is connected to a cylinder expensive. The erratic power supply only added pump. to the woes of the farmers. Under these circum- stances, windmill came as a plausible solution. The rotor rotates due to wind pressure and this The windmill was introduced in villages through helps in rotating the gears. The connecting rod live demonstrations of models and workshops. with the gearbox in the pipeline helps in draw- The villagers were given complete information ing water from the ground level. A windmill re- on windmills and the importance of maintenance quires a minimum wind velocity of 8 km per hour. was stressed on. It can draw water between 1,200 to 2,000 litres per hour. It can draw water from a depth of 100 Till Date 44 windmills were installed in 26 vil- feet. The cylinders are connected to pipes lead- lages. EVs played a major role in motivating the ing to a water tank, where the water is stored people for which they were paid an incentive of and used for farming. Rs 150. Under the alternative energy develop- ment programme of Gujarat Energy Develop- Beneficiaries’ experiences ment Agency (GEDA), major subsidy is provided for this technology. Each windmill costs an aver- Shantilal Pansuria from Dedakiyal village, says, age of Rs 80,000. If a beneficiary owns a bore, Rs “I have an orchard and need water in summer. 18,250 is collected as contribution and in case the That’s when I need electricity to draw water from beneficiary owns a well, Rs 23,100 is collected. the wells. However, one has to pay a lump sum The rest of the amount is extended as subsidy by of Rs 3,500 every year irrespective of whether one GEDA. AKRSP (I) also provides Rs 4,000 to the uses the electricity for a month or the full year. beneficiary for the construction of a storage tank. But, with the windmill I don’t have to worry

12 Promotion of Alternate Energy Devices to Minimise Forest Degradation about the electricity costs. Moreover, the mainte- AKRSP (India) offered to install a windmill. He nance is very low.” readily agreed and in 2004, he grew groundnut on five bighas of land and earned Rs 15,000. He Windmill technology has provided hope to farm- harvested wheat as the winter crop and earned ers to deal with the problem of irrigation with- Rs10,000 and in this summer, he grew vegeta- out being dependent of intermittent electricity bles in 1 bigha land and earned Rs 700. supply. Osman bhai also took up horticulture by plant- “I had to stay in the fields to keep a tab on the ing 30 mango grafts. “The windmill has ensured electricity and to operate the motor whenever continuous water supply and now, I can culti- electricity is available. Now, I am relieved of that vate my own land without worrying about elec- hassle. “Besides, I am also assured of drinking tricity bills. My land was lying unutilised for the water, which is indeed a boon,” he adds. past 25 years. It is very satisfying to be self-de- Osman bhai Abu bhai, a small Siddi farmer, from pendent and I don’t have to worry about getting Surva village, owns five bigha of land. He could labour jobs every day. Now, I can afford proper not cultivate his land because it was rocky. meals and clothes, which was a distant dream Moreover, there was no water for irrigation due earlier.” to lack of electricity supply. So, he used to give his land on lease for Rs 500 a year to a big farmer, Local manufacturing of windmills who used to grow grass feed on the land. He used AKRSP (India) is now promoting local manufac- to work as an agricultural labourer and also sold turing of windmills. It is trying to affiliate wood, which he collected during his spare time. Manibhai, a local entrepreneur from Ramrechi His yearly earning was Rs 7,000. village near Talala, with GEDA and this is ex- With the help of AKRSP (India), he treated his pected to come through soon. Then Manibhai will land and then dug a bore well. However, con- produce windmills on a large scale. A model of stant water supply was an issue as could not an this has already been installed in Osmanbhai’s afford electricity connection. Seeing this situation, field in Surva village. This will ensure proper

Model village for Alternative Energy Programme: Dedakiyal

Dedakiyal village in the Talala block has emerged as a model village as alternative energy methods have been adopted very readily by the people here. These villagers are sensitized to protect the environment and live in harmony with it apart from promoting other human values. Ask them about this high awareness level and they give credit to the Swadhyay Movement. These villagers hold meetings to protect and respect the environment. As a result of this, the villagers stopped collecting fuel wood and instead shifted to the environment-friendly option of biogas in 1994. Today, the biogas coverage is nearly 90 per cent (165 households) in this village. Realising the benefits of alternative energy, the villagers have also adopted solar cookers and windmills. Since 2003, 92 solar cookers have been distributed and four windmills have been installed. Till 1994, 300 bullock carts of fuel wood were cut down by these villagers. Now, this has gone down by 90 per cent. “With increased use of biogas and solar cookers the dependence on fuel wood has plummeted as people now have access to environment-friendly cleaner cooking options. The forest cover near the village, which was once dwindling, is dense again. Today, many visitors come to see our village as we have set a precedent,” says Bhanubhai Kyada, an Extension Volunteer working in Dedakiyal village.

Promotion of Alternate Energy Devices to Minimise Forest Degradation 13 maintenance and service facility at local level it- Other Alternate Options : Promotion of Solar self. lighting devices, Smokeless Chulas are also be- ing undertaken but they are not much in demand Cremation Bed Technology as continuous electricity supply is available in a Cremation beds manufactured by GEDA were nearly all the villages during night. introduced in this region in 2002. Till now, seven Conclusion such beds have been installed in as many villages. Each bed costs Rs 10,000 for which people have With the help of some interventions of alternate to contribute Rs 3,700. This technology has been energy devices we have been able to consider- showcased at various alternative energy exhibi- ably reduce the pressure on the local environment tions. The EVs played a major role in motivating for the fulfilment of their daily requirement of the villagers and some have even got orders from energy. These alternative interventions have not the gram panchayat. only proven to be economical on their pocket on the longer run but have also provided with Bet- A normal cremation requires 250 to 300 kg of ter Heath, Better living conditions, Enough spare wood, whereas in a cremation bed only 160 kg time to spend with their children and family along of wood is required. Moreover, it is a little elevated with better and hygienic environmental sur- and allows wind to pass from all sides, which rounding. All these have reflection on the improv- ensures faster and better burning of the body. ing livelihood conditions of the people.

14 Promotion of Alternate Energy Devices to Minimise Forest Degradation AKRSP(I):Recent Publications

research studies research studies documentation research studies 2007 2007 2007 2007

The Effectiveness of Promoting People’s Water Management Gender and Microfinance in Organisations and in Semi-Arid Participation in Gujarat: A Social Low-cost Irrigation their Federations: Margins of Gujarat: Performance Schemes: A case of Review of AKRSP Reflections on the NGOs, User Groups AKRSP(India)’s (India) AKRSP (India) – and Water Rights Interventions in Experience Tribal Gujarat. Salman Alibhai Yoann Fayolle and Ronald Jaubert C.P. Geevan and Apoorva Oza Jyotirmayee Acharya

research studies research studies research studies research studies 2007 2007 2007 2007

Sustainability of Village Institutions Strengthening From Micro-Finance Impact Of High Promoted by NGOs: Community to Livelihood Incidence Of Kidney Case Study on the Involvement in the Finance: Narratives Stone: A Study of Gram Vikas Mandal management of of Tribal Women Coastal Villages in Promoted by AKRSP Canal Irrigation Managing Junagadh, Gujarat. (I), Netrang, South Systems – the Livelihood under Gujarat, Forestry & Gujarat Experience AKRSP (India) Rajnarayan Indu and Livelihoods. Alka Rawal Sachin Oza, Umesh Desai Jyotirmayee Acharya Geevan C.P Satyasiba Bedamatta

research studies research studies research studies documentation 2007 2005 2005 2005

Rural Household Sustainability of Joint Forest Gender and the Cash Flows: The Village Institutions Management in Natural Resources - Mota Sakhpar Case. AKRSP (I)’s created through Experiences and Primary data collection team: NGO interventions Jigneshkumar Ranabhai Gohil The Case of AKRSP(I) Promoted Programme Area: Achievements of & Girishkumar Boricha and Participatory Irrigation Issues, challenges AKRSP(I) Gujarat Secondary data collection Management Societies in South team: Tarun Mapara and Gujarat and options Merambhai Dangar. Mohammed Ali Shariff Manish Verma Geeta Menon Aziz sunderji Freelance Researcher

research studies research studies research studies research studies 2004 2004 2004 2003

Impact of AKRSP(I)’s AKRSP(I)’s Land ownership as a Canal Irrigation Intervention on experience in Livelihood issue for management by drought coping by prompting micro women tribal communities people: The case of irrigation devices in Surendranagar Saurashtra, Gujarat Programme are

Niraj Joshi Apoorva Oza Koyal K. Mandal Ashok Pingle Kirit Jasani Aditi Mukherjee et. al Biswaranjan Patnaik Shailesh Dungrani Internal Research

Promotion of Alternate Energy Devices to Minimise Forest Degradation: AKRSP (India)’s Experience in the Junagadh and Netrang

In rural areas, especially those who are living around jungle area, directly or indirectly are dependent on them for their daily fuel requirement. The poor people use inferior fuels like poor quality wood, shrubs, weeds and dung cakes as depleting non-renewable energy sources have eroded into these meagre sources of biomass fuels of rural India. This whole issue of bio-mass fuel become a very complex issue in itself, espe- cially for the people living around forest areas. Collection of the material, the amount of time spent for it’s collection, problems/risks of forest officials & wild life during collection. Physical problems & problems related to health & un- healthy living environment are some of the associated issues. Bio-gas has emerged as an economical and viable option, which also has many other benefits attached to it. This alternative when promoted, constructed, operated and maintained by the worst affected group (women) in a planned manner also provides livelihood options for individuals and common fund for groups / mandals. The Issue of sanitation was also addressed along with it. Other alternate options are also being advocated and promoted.

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