Govt to Distribute Unnat Chulhas and Solar Devices to Rural and Tribal Population

In order to provide clean cooking and lighting benefits to rural and tribal population living in forest fringes and protected areas, the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) has taken up the programme for intensive distribution of Renewable Energy Devices. Under the programme devices like Unnat Chulhas, Solar Cookers, Solar Lamps, Solar home lighting Systems etc will be distributed by using the funds of Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA). Now this programme has been included in the definition of forest protection and conservation measures and management of notified forest/protected areas.

CAMPA has already issued circular providing guidelines for utilization of funds to the State Governments/Union Territories regarding the programme. A cumulative of not less than 70% of funds utilized/earmarked under the Net Present Value (NPV) component are to be used for the core activities, which could be earmarked for distribution of renewable devices in areas covering national parks, Sanctuaries and reserve forests. In this regard the states and union territories have been requested to indicate their targets for Distribution of Unnat Chulhas, Solar Cookers, Solar Lamps, and Solar Home Lighting Systems in forest fringes and protected areas for the next five years to Ministry of New & Renewable Energy