In order to identify challenges and opportunities in launching community micro-hydro projects in India’s Northeast, a two-day workshop has been organized since Thursday at NBDA conference hall, 6th Mile, Dimapur, through the initiatives of Nagaland Empowerment of People through Energy Development (NEPeD) supported by International Rivers, a non-profit organization.
Participated by experts from the United States, Sri Lanka and Nepal and also from neighbouring states – Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Assam and Nagaland, the workshop was also attended by representatives from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), New Delhi.
During the workshop, experts exuded confidence that there would be an increased awareness among decision makers and local stakeholders of “bad and good micro hydro practices; and how micro hydro could trigger an alternative, development model.”
International Rivers’ solutions coordinator Dipti Vaghela said that her organization have explored probable steps for alleviating sustainability issues with existing micro hydro projects and scaling successful pilot projects.
MNRE director BK Bhatt pointed out that the workshop experience would help community participation and development of micro hydro programmes of the ministry. He said deliberations would help improve the implementation and further wished all state departments the best in their future endeavours.
NEPeD team leader Menukhol John in his speech said that the Northeastern states of India have been endowed with rich natural resources, exceptional biodiversity and also vibrant indigenous cultures.
Stating that the development scenario of the region sat at the crossroads now, as the national government and private investors perceived the hydro potential of this region to soon become the country’s mega powerhouse, Menukhol added that micro hydro projects could be a way to sustainable energy for remote villages while preserving the rich natural resource of the region.
South Asia Programme coordinator of International Rivers Bharat Lal Seth pointed out that since 2011, NEPeD has been independently fabricating a 3-kilowatt hydro turbine that has benefited many roadside food stalls, farmers and village households in remote locations.
He also said International Rivers has implemented more than twenty projects in Nagaland and a few in Meghalaya, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
Adding that India has vast renewable energy potential as well as sites where one could deploy low-impact, non-dam small hydropower turbines, Bharat Lal Seth said that International Rivers could not afford to do more of the same when better options such as those manufactured by NEPeD were available to them.
“What is needed is a holistic approach that is built upon the region’s strong culture of community and strengthening watersheds/ecosystems. This approach must connect micro hydro implementation with a strategy for reducing poverty and drudgery and increasing local economic development,” he further added. It may be mentioned that the workshop was called for a sustainable and scaled approach that transforms pilot projects into robust, long-term programmes built upon local capacity building, quality assurance, productive use, and innovation.
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