Climate Change Adaptation

Why is this important

Energy is a critical aspect of human livelihood and a large part of tribal areas in India are not connected to the electricity grid. Even if they are attached, the affordability and quality of electricity in terms of regularity and voltage consistency remains problematic and causes frequent and extended power cuts.
Decentralized and community based energy technology, where the generation system is owned, controlled and locally managed by the community holds greater relevance in these areas. This is especially significant in remote and hilly areas which can access abundant renewable energy resources like hydro and solar power.

Community Aid Alliance linked resource centres have conducted a feasibility study which demonstrates that decentralized energy options can very effectively integrate into the social-cultural fabric from the communities perspective. As a result of this, solar home lighting systems, micro hydro initiatives and smokeless stoves are being promoted.

There are many benefits of decentralized energy options for the community including (but not limited to) access to uninterrupted, community-managed, environmentally friendly and affordable power; time available to women for other economic and leisure activities and increased productive time for childrens education.

Now we take more time for leisure, after work activities and study literacy has improved in the village. There is now plenty of water which means we can now plant and harvest crops three times a year instead of one as we used to. We also have a better understanding of how agriculture works and better cultivation of the catchment area which is very important to increase our income. Hanak Tading, Village Development Leader and founder of micro hydro project, Bodamanjari