Download pdf - Mlinda Sundarbans Study - Final Report - 29 Apr 2013

Mlinda Energy Mapping in Indian Sundarbans

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Preface

Mlinda Foundation, an International NGO based in

Paris, France, is focused on ecological conservation

and restoration worldwide. Mlinda has its India

Office based in Kolkata and one of the critical

regions nominated for its interventions is the Indian

Sundarbans where in the world’s largest mangrove

forest is being degraded at a very rapid rate.

NABARD is an apex development bank in India with a

mandate for facilitating credit flow for promotion

and development of rural economy and all other

allied economic activities in rural areas promote

integrated and sustainable rural development and

secure prosperity of rural areas.

This study commissioned by Mlinda and NABARD is

focused on assessment of fossil fuel consumption, its

impact and the scope for promoting renewable

energy options for limiting ecological degradation

within four blocks of the Indian Sundarbans viz.

Basanti, Gosaba, Kultali and Patharpratima.

The study has been undertaken by Synergyz

Resource Advisory Consultants, a professional team

of development specialists, to collate the levels of

fossil fuel consumption in the target blocks and

study the feasibility of promoting solar systems as

an alternative source of clean and affordable energy

option.

Prepared by:

Synergyz Resource Advisory Consultants Pvt Ltd

23-A, Eashwaripuri Colony, Sainikpuri

Secunderabad – 500 094, India

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.synergyz.in

Date: April 2013

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Table of Contents

Acronyms & Abbreviations ........................................................................ v

Part I - General

Overview.............................................................................................. 2

Section 1: Introduction ............................................................................ 5

1.1 Impact of Climate Change on Sundarbans .......................................................................... 6

1.2 Economic Importance ........................................................................................................... 7

1.3 Need for Energy ..................................................................................................................... 7

Section 2: Scope and Methodology ........................................................... 10

2.0 Background .......................................................................................................................... 10

2.1 Objectives of the Study ...................................................................................................... 11

2.2 Expected Outcomes / Deliverables ................................................................................... 11

2.3 Terms of Reference............................................................................................................. 11

2.4 Survey Methodology ............................................................................................................ 13

2.5 Sampling Size and Proposed Activities .............................................................................. 14

2.5.1 Sampling Method ............................................................................................................... 14

2.5.2 Size ..................................................................................................................................... 15

2.5.3 Questionnaire .................................................................................................................... 15

2.6 Activity List .......................................................................................................................... 15

2.7 Field Surveys ........................................................................................................................ 17

2.8 Limitations ........................................................................................................................... 17

Section 3: Description of the Study Area .................................................... 19

3.0 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 19

3.1 Salient Socio-Economic Data of the Study Area ............................................................... 21

3.1.1 Occupation and Livelihood: ............................................................................................. 22

3.1.2 Spatial Distribution of Population ................................................................................... 22

3.2 Status of Electricity ............................................................................................................ 24

Part II - Analysis

Section 4: Analysis - (Basanti, Gosaba & Kultali Blocks) ................................. 28

4.0 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 28

4.1 Present Status of Accessibility to Energy Sources ........................................................... 28

4.1.1 Grid Power ......................................................................................................................... 28

4.1.2 Solar Power ........................................................................................................................ 32

4.2 Households and Clusters ..................................................................................................... 37


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4.2.1 Demography of HHs Surveyed .......................................................................................... 37

4.2.2 Consumption of Kerosene at HH Level ........................................................................... 40

4.2.3 Perception about Various Energy Sources ...................................................................... 43

4.2.4 HH Clusters in the Blocks ................................................................................................. 44

4.2.5 Demographic Profile of Clusters ...................................................................................... 45

4.2.6 Consumption of Fuel in Identified Clusters .................................................................... 45

4.3 Schools and Hospitals .......................................................................................................... 49

4.3.1 Energy Usage in School Hostels ....................................................................................... 49

4.3.2 Demography of Schools Surveyed .................................................................................... 50

4.3.3 Consumption of Fuel in Schools ....................................................................................... 50

4.3.4 Perceptions regarding Various Energy Sources .............................................................. 52

4.3.5 Demography of Hospitals Surveyed ................................................................................. 53

4.3.6 Level of Energy Consumption in the Hospitals .............................................................. 54

4.3.7 Perceptions regarding Energy Sources ............................................................................ 54

4.4 Commercial Establishments ............................................................................................... 56

4.4.1 Demography of Markets Surveyed ................................................................................... 56

4.4.2 Consumption of Diesel in Markets ................................................................................... 57

4.4.3 Energy Usage in the Commercial Sector ........................................................................ 59

4.4.4 Demography of Commercial Sector Surveyed ................................................................ 59

4.4.5 Consumption levels of Diesel by the Agro-commercial Sector..................................... 60

4.4.6 Perceptions regarding Various Energy Sources .............................................................. 60

4.5 Water Transport .................................................................................................................. 62

4.5.1 Demography and Fuel Consumption levels of Ferry Services ....................................... 62

4.5.2 Fuel Consumption by Fishing Trawlers ........................................................................... 63

4.5.3 Perceptions regarding Various Energy Sources by Boat Owners .................................. 64

Section 5: Analysis (Patharpratima Block) .................................................. 65

5.0 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 65

5.1 Present Status of Accessibility to Energy Sources (as per government projects) ........ 66

5.1.1 Grid Power ......................................................................................................................... 66

5.1.2 Solar Power ........................................................................................................................ 70

5.2 Household Level energy Consumption .............................................................................. 71

5.2.1 Demography of HHs Surveyed .......................................................................................... 71

5.2.2 Energy Sources at HH Level ............................................................................................. 72

3.2.3 Consumption of Various energy sources at HH level for agriculture inputs ............... 73

5.3 Commercial Establishments ............................................................................................... 74

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5.3.1 Demography and Consumption Levels of Energy of Markets Surveyed ....................... 75

5.3.2 Demography & Consumption of Energy in Independent Shops ..................................... 75

5.3.3 Energy Usage in Schools ................................................................................................... 76

5.3.4 Energy Usage by Ferries ................................................................................................... 76

Part III - Recommendations

Section 6: Recommendations .................................................................. 79

6.0 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 79

6.1 Penetration Levels of Various Energy Sources ................................................................. 79

6.2 Field Level Observations .................................................................................................... 81

6.3 Solar Micro-grids .................................................................................................................. 82

6.4 Lessons from Existing Models in Sundarbans .................................................................... 82

Appendices ......................................................................................... 90

Appendix A: Socio-economic Profile of HHs Surveyed ................................................................ 90

Appendix B: Extent of Dependence on Kerosene at HH Level ................................................... 93

Appendix C: Preference of Energy Source at HH Level .............................................................. 95

Appendix D: Socio-economic Profile of Clusters Surveyed ....................................................... 97

Appendix E: Extent of Dependence on Kerosene at Cluster Level ........................................... 99

Appendix F: Perception Levels about Various Energy Sources (in Clusters) .......................... 100

Appendix G: Perceptions in Schools ........................................................................................... 101

Appendix H: Diesel Consumption in Markets Surveyed ............................................................. 102

Appendix I : Diesel Consumption in the Commercial Sector................................................... 104

Appendix J: Perceptions of Various Energy Sources in Commercial Sector ........................... 105

Annexures ......................................................................................... 107

Annexure 1: Flood and Cyclone Hazard Map – South 24 Parganas District (WB) .................... 107

Annexure 2: Field Visit Schedule ................................................................................................ 108

Annexure 3: Survey Questionnaires ............................................................................................ 109

Annexure 4: News Report on Grid Connectivity to Island Blocks in Sundarbans ................... 120

Annexure 5: List of Villages (Targeted under RGGVY) ............................................................. 121

Annexure 6: List of Villages (Completed under RGGVY) .......................................................... 124

Annexure 7: Block Level Summaries ........................................................................................... 126

References ........................................................................................ 135


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Acronyms & Abbreviations

APL Above Poverty Line

BDO Block Development Officer

BPHC Block Primary Health Centre

BPL Below Poverty Line

CSE Centre for Science and Environment (India)

CSO Community Support Organization

CUTS Consumer Unity and Trust Society (NGO)

DI Depth Interview

ESMA European Securities and Markets Authority

FGD Focus Group Discussion

GHG Green House Gas

GoI Government of India

GoWB Government of West Bengal

GP Gram Panchayat (Sub Block Administrative Unit)

HDI Human Development Index

HH Household

Hr Hour

IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

JLG Joint Liability Group

Km Kilometer

KV Kilo Volt

KWH Kilo Watt Hour

KMPH Kilometers per Hour

Ltr Liter

MC Market Committee

MoP Ministry of Power (GoI)

NABARD National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (India)

NAPCC National Action Plan on Climate Change (India)

NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration (USA)

NES Non-conventional Energy Sources

NGO Non-Government Organization

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No Number

NWRC National Wetlands Research Centre (USA)

OBC Other Backward Class

PDS Public Distribution System

PPM Parts per Million

PRA Participatory Rural Appraisal

PV Photo Voltaic

RE Renewable Energy

RGGVY Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidutikaran Yojana (Rural Electrification Program - GoI)

RKM Ramakrishna Mission (NGO)

Rs Rupees

SDB Sundarbans Development Board

SPV Solar Photo-Voltaic

Sq Square

STR Sundarban Tiger Reserve

TNN Times News Network (India)

ToI Times of India

ToR Terms of Reference

USGS United States Geological Survey

W Watt

WB West Bengal (State of India)

WBGEDCL West Bengal Green Energy Development Corporation Limited

WBREDA West Bengal Renewable Energy Development Agency

WBSEDCL West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited

WWF World Wide Fund for Nature

Yr Year

ZP Zilla Parishad (District level local governing body)

ZSL Zoological Society of London


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Part I - General

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Overview

Sundarbans, the largest delta in the world, consists of 10,200 sq km of Mangrove Forest,

spread over India (4200 sq km of Reserved Forest) and Bangladesh (6000 sq km approx of

Reserved Forest) and is also the largest Mangrove

Forest in the world. The Sundarbans originally

measuring (about 200 years ago) around 16,700 sq

km, has dwindled into nearly a third of its original

size. The total land area today is 4,143 sq km and

the remaining water area of 1,874 sq km

encompasses rivers, small streams and canals.

Indian Sundarbans also includes around 5,400 sq

km area outside the forest cover that includes

inhabited lands along the north and north-

western boundary of the forest. Fig: Satellite Image of the Sundarbans Delta

Apart from human encroachment, exploitation of its natural resources and alteration of

nature’s courses, climate change is also playing a significant role in the degradation and

destruction of this unique natural eco-system. Also, the lack of access clubbed with poor

service to electricity to a major part of this region, has resulted in heavy dependence on

fossil fuels for lighting and other purposes.

Conservation and restoration of the ecology of Sundarbans has been the primary focus of

many institutions in the recent past, both within and outside the government establishment.

Mlinda Foundation of France is one such entity whose primary mission is towards ecological

conservation and restoration in highly critical fragile natural systems globally. Mlinda has

identified four such administrative blocks of the Indian Sundarbans viz. Basanti, Gosaba,

Kultali and Patharpratima where it proposes to carry out interventions with an aim to

replace/reduce fossil fuel usage with alternate source (solar) of clean energy thus resulting in

the reduction of GHG emissions in this region.

The study carried out by Synergyz Resource Advisory Consultants at the behest of Mlinda, was

aimed towards:

Understanding the socio-economic dynamics of the selected areas;

Identify the fossil fuel usage pattern by the communities inhabiting these areas;

The current level of penetration of solar systems;

Government bodies attitude and approach towards renewable energy;

People’s experiences and perceptions regarding solar power systems;

Identify and prioritize areas for the program implementation;

Estimate the feasibility of scaling up and replicating the model in the future.


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Fossil fuel consumption points identified for the survey are:

Lighting at HH level;

Lighting in markets;

Lighting of school hostels and hospitals;

Running of machineries by small commercial enterprises in the area like sawmills,

flourmills and shallow pumps for cultivation;

Fuel used to power motorized boats for transporting people and also trawlers used for

fishing.

The field data collection, its analysis and recommendations thereafter give direction for a

gradual and focused implementation of the program which while being self-sustaining, would

also ensure the ownership of the system resting with the user-community, thus inculcating a

better sense of responsibility and accountability.


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Section 1: Introduction

1.0 Background

The mangrove dominated Ganges Delta –the Sundarbans also a world heritage site, is a

complex ecosystem comprising one of the three largest single tracts of mangrove forests of

the world. The Sundarbans gets its name due to the abundant presence of the ‘Sundari’ trees.

The Indian part of this mangrove forest is estimated to be about 19 percent, while the

Bangladeshi part is 81 percent. To the south the forest meets the Bay of Bengal; to the east it

is bordered by the Baleswar River and to the north there is a sharp interface with intensively

cultivated land. The natural drainage in the upstream areas, other than the main river

channels, is everywhere impeded by extensive embankments and polders. The Sundarbans

originally measuring (about 200 years ago) around 16,700 sq km, has dwindled into nearly a

third of its original size. The total land area today is 4,143 sq km and the remaining water

area of 1,874 sq km encompasses rivers, small streams and canals. Indian Sundarbans also

includes around 5,400 sq km area outside the forest cover that includes inhabited lands along

the north and north-western boundary of the forest.

Sundarbans is home to around 300 species of trees and herbs and 425 species of wildlife

including the Bengal Tiger. This mangrove forest is predominantly a salt-tolerant forest

ecosystem with the exception of an estimated 856.7 million

Sundari (Heritiera fomes) trees which are less salt-tolerant.

The Sundarbans consists of an intricate network of tidal

waterways, marshy patches, mudflats and numerous islands.

Rivers in the Sundarbans are meeting places of salt-water and

fresh-water. Thus, it is a region of transition between the

freshwater of the rivers originating from the Ganges and the

saline water of the Bay of Bengal.

Fig 1.1: Location Map of Sundarbans

The Sundarban mangroves serve as a biological shield protecting coastal communities from the

worst effects of storm surge, thus providing an important defense in limiting climate change

impacts. Each year about eight storms with sustained wind speeds greater than 63 KMPH form

in the Bay of Bengal, with an average of two becoming tropical cyclones. The dwindling of this

mangrove ecosystem only escalates the disaster risk for local populations from storm surge

and flooding.

Sundarbans is not just an environmental asset or an ecological treasure-trove; it is also an

area of immense geo-political importance. It consists of a vast deltaic system that lies

between India and Bangladesh, putting an immense pressure on the combined natural

resources, leading to difficulty in management of the rehabilitation of millions of displaced

people.


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Fig 1.2: Satellite Image of Sundarbans (NASA)

1.1 Impact of Climate Change on Sundarbans

Despite the warnings against impact of

climate change on this fragile ecosystem

since the early century, recent human

activities are still geared towards

enhancing them.

Recent studies indicate that the

Sundarban coast has been retreating up

to 200 meters in a single year due to

rapidly deteriorating health of the world's

largest mangrove forest. ZSL researcher

Dr Nathalie Pettorelli, senior author of the

paper states: "Our results indicate a

rapidly retreating coastline that cannot be accounted for by the regular dynamics of the

Sundarbans. Degradation is happening fast, weakening this natural shield for India and

Bangladesh."

Of the 102 low-lying islands in the delta on the Indian side, about 54 are inhabited by nearly

four million people. But climate change is leading to increased salinity and higher tidal surges,

with permanent submergence of land masses. Reports from 2006 suggest that in the past 20

years four islands (Bedford, Lohachara, Kabasgadi and Suparibhanga) were submerged and

6,000 families rendered homeless. Up to a dozen islands, home to 70,000 people, are

immediately threatened by the rising seas inundating homes and livelihoods. Refer Annexure

1 for the Flood and Cyclone Hazard Map of South 24 Parganas district (Indian Sundarbans).

Scientists from Calcutta and Jadavpur Universities have predicted that one of the largest

islands (Sagar island) will lose at least 15 percent of its habitat area by 2020. A report

prepared by Jadavpur University and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) estimates that out of

five million people living in the delta, one million will become climate change refugees by

2050. It is estimated by researchers of the School of Oceanographic Studies, Jadavpur

University that the annual rise in sea level from 3.14 mm recorded till the year 2000 more

than doubled to about 8 mm in 2010.

Mangroves are also the most carbon rich forests in the tropics with high carbon sequestration

potential, meaning that their degradation and loss will substantially reduce our ability to

mitigate, and adapt to, predicted changes in climatic conditions. Healthy mangrove forests, as

well as marshes and sea-grass meadows, are important and efficient methods for sequestering

carbon dioxide as 'blue carbon'. Mangrove loss in Sundarbans contributed to half the total blue

carbon stock reduction, followed in ranking by the degradation or loss of sea grass meadows,

then tidal marshes.

Surface water temperatures have been rising at the rate of 0.5 degree Celsius per decade over

the past three decades in the Sundarbans. A 2009 study found a change of 1.5 degrees Celsius


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Carbon dioxide concentration has increased about 21% from 280 ppm in pre-industrial times to approximately 370 ppm today and is predicted by some models to double within the next century. Effects of elevated CO2 and climate change will likely be apparent first geographic areas where major vegetation types meet.

Source: USGS NWRC Fact Sheet

from 1980 to 2007, a rise that will pose

challenges and stresses for the survival of

fauna and flora in the forest. By comparison,

the IPCC documented a temperature increase

rate of 0.2 degree Celsius per decade in the

Indian Ocean during 1970-99. The surface

water pH over the past 30 years has also

reduced in the region, thus increasing

acidification. The variations in salinity and

increased temperature are thought to be the

reasons for observed variation in pH and dissolved oxygen. The concentration of dissolved

oxygen in some parts of the Sundarbans showed a decreasing trend.

1.2 Economic Importance

The Sundarbans plays an important role in the economy. The forest provides raw materials for

wood based industries. In addition to traditional forest produce like timber, fuel-wood, pulp-

wood etc., large scale harvest of non wood forest products such as thatching materials,

honey, bees-wax, fish, crustacean and mollusc resources of the forest takes place regularly.

The forest also traps nutrient and sediment, acts as a storm barrier, shore stabilizer and

energy storage unit. Last but not the least, the Sundarbans provides a wonderful aesthetic

attraction for local and foreign tourists.

A number of industries (e.g. newsprint mill, match factory, hardboard, boat building,

furniture making) are based on the raw materials obtained from the Sundarbans ecosystem.

Various non-timber forest products and plantations help generate considerable employment

and income generation opportunities for at least half a million poor coastal population.

1.3 Need for Energy

The Sundarban region of West Bengal covers 9,630 sq km including around 4444.33 sq km of

human habitat along the forest area. About 20 islands, inhabited by more than 100,000

households in 131 villages, have no access to electricity. The southern region, in particular,

suffers from a chronic energy crisis due to non-availability of grid quality power. The rivers

are tidal in nature and sometimes become even one km wide. It is extremely difficult to

extend transmission lines from main land to these islands resulting in technical limitations

and high cost. People depend on the expensive and often erratic supply of kerosene for their

lighting needs. There are a few small diesel generator sets supplying electricity to the

markets of some villages, but the diesel delivery mechanism is not reliable. The sensitive

ecosystem, remoteness, inadequate infrastructure for transport sector, distributed demand

for electricity and dependency on petroleum products imported from main land has resulted

in absence of diesel based grid systems. There exists little or no reliable access to

communication systems, television, and health facilities, all of which requires electricity.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-timber_forest_products

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plantation


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The NAPCC emphasizes the need for large scale investment of resources in infrastructure,

technology and access to energy, towards attainment of India’s development agenda which

seeks eradication of poverty and improved standard of living. The NAPCC states that “In view

of the large uncertainties regarding the spatial and temporal magnitude of climate change

impacts, the need is to identify and prioritize strategies that promote development goals

while also serving specific climate change objectives.” The strong positive correlation

between energy use and human development is well recognized and a substantial increase in

per capita energy consumption is anticipated while attaining an acceptable level of well-

being amongst the citizens.

Given the intergenerational character of energy planning decisions, the long life span of

energy infrastructure (15-30 years for power plants and 30-40 years for transmission lines)

and the expected rise in energy demand, the potential vulnerabilities of energy services due

to climate consequences needs greater understanding. The formal knowledge base is still at

an early stage of development (ESMA-2011), particularly for assets that are indirectly

weather dependent (e.g. thermal power, transmission). RE plays a key role in future low

carbon emission plans aimed at limiting global warming. However, its dependence on climate

conditions makes it also susceptible to climate change.

The Energy and Resources Institute had prepared a Master Plan for Electrification by 2008 for

WBREDA. Based on the plan, SPV systems and other non-conventional energy sources are

most suited for this region. The basic emphasis is on the total electrification of the

command areas by utilizing hybridization of different renewable energy resources. In this

context, the WBREDA and other institutions like the RKM Lokashikha Parishad are already

engaged in the distribution of SPV systems in these areas.

Fig 1.3: Annual Solar Radiation Index in Sundarbans


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Section 2: Scope and Methodology

2.0 Background

Mlinda Foundation (hereafter referred to as Mlinda), an International NGO working in

Sundarbans area of WB, seeks to inspire custodianship for the environment, and enable the

local inhabitants to recognize the implications of our actions and to act to protect and help

regenerate our world. Mlinda envisions a world in which human development is promoted

through financially, socially and environmentally sustainable forms of production and

consumption. Mlinda’s aim is to develop financially sustainable, socially responsible and

environmentally friendly market based initiatives that can have a significant impact on:

Reducing GHG emissions;

Reducing harmful forms of consumption and production;

Promoting wildlife and habitat conservation.

Currently, off-grid households and schools are largely dependent on conventional fuel burning

(mainly kerosene) and the commercial institutions depend on diesel for powering the markets

that are highly inefficient, polluting and damaging to both health and the environment.

Hence, access to clean energy within rural communities in the form of solar off-grid lighting

alternatives offer a better option with health, safety and environmental benefits. Despite

their potential, off-grid clean energy solutions have yet to make a significant impact in the

rural market.

Mlinda is presently involved in promoting access to clean energy solutions within the

Island Blocks of Sundarbans. NABARD as part of

its development initiatives is associated with

Mlinda. In this direction, Mlinda & NABARD

have assigned an energy consumption study in

the four blocks of Sundarbans, viz. Basanti,

Gosaba, Kultali and Patharpratima (Island

Blocks) to Synergyz Resource Advisory

Consultants. It is expected that this study will

help to:

Assess the present levels of energy

consumption ( fossil fuels/ solar) and demand

in the ecologically sensitive islands of

Sundarbans;

Assess the demand and

perception/acceptability of Renewable Energy

as a reliable and economical source of power

(primary / supplementary). Fig 2.1: Indian Sundarbans Administrative Blocks


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2.1 Objectives of the Study

The objectives listed out for the energy mapping study are:

Understand the points of fossil fuel consumption and quantify them; (Households for

lighting, markets, trawlers, jetties, agricultural machineries, flour mills, saw mills

and small independent shops etc);

Understand the total quantum of fossil fuel that can be saved and consequent

savings on GHG emissions;

Understand their expenditure patterns on fossil fuels across different sub-sectors and

their source of financing;

Assess the present solar penetration and the future demand (in terms of direct

access and aspirations) for solar power in the targeted geography in the next five

years.

2.2 Expected Outcomes / Deliverables

The study is aimed towards capturing and analyzing the following information:

Present solar penetration and predicted future demand for solar lighting (five year

forecast) in the targeted geographies in both off and in-grid spaces;

Size the market for solar PV based lighting with recommendations for home lighting

systems/devices and mini/micro grids;

Mapped geographic clusters for targeted interventions e.g. identification of clusters

for solar micro-grids amongst the core poor etc;

Well –analyzed present fossil fuel consumption points by different actors and related

expenditure patterns to help assess GHG emissions savings;

Detailed documentation of the research methodology.

2.3 Terms of Reference

Conduct a baseline survey spanning over a total of 36 GPs, 1,27,226 HHs ; over 130

markets (total universe) across the three blocks of Gosaba, Basanti and Kultali;

Develop the overall survey design framework for the three blocks, finalize the

sample size in consultation with Mlinda;

Analysis of Patharpratima block data based on the survey conducted by Mlinda team;

Finalize the study tools, conduct the study within the targeted geography, compile

and analyze data and finally share the first cut and the final study report with

Mlinda;

Bring out the key findings in the final study report and suggest specific

recommendations in terms of future demand for solar;

Map the geographies for HH based solar micro-grids amongst the core poor,


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identification of markets willing to convert from diesel to solar, identification of

schools interested for their hostel electrification etc;

Document the research methodology/approach in detail in the final study report as

an integral part of the learning process.

Detailed discussions were held with Mlinda India and Paris Offices on the ToR and expected

deliverables so as to finalize a list of feasible deliverables.

Matrix 2.1: Deliverables

Expected Outcomes of Study Deliverables finalized based on Discussion

Detailed Energy Mapping Indicative Energy Mapping

Present solar penetration and predicted

future demand for solar lighting (in the next

5 years) in the targeted geographies in both

off and on-grid spaces;

General trend of solar penetration in the targeted

geographies in both off and on-grid spaces;

(May not be possible to predict future demand for

solar lighting in the next 5 years. However attempts

shall be made to collect data on population growth

and general trend of solar penetration in the area)

Size the market for solar PV based lighting

with recommendations for home lighting

systems/devices and mini/micro grids

Size the market for solar PV based lighting with

recommendations for home lighting systems/devices

and mini/micro grids

Mapped geographic clusters for targeted

interventions e.g. identification of clusters

for solar micro-grids amongst the core poor

etc

- 5 HH clusters / block

- 2 Schools / block

Map the geographies for HH based solar

micro-grids amongst the core poor,

identification of markets willing to convert

from diesel to solar, identification of schools

interested for their hostel electrification

etc;

While mapping will be done, willingness will only be

indicative since agreement will be based on the

financial model offered to the respective groups.

However, information will be provided based on

which feasible options can be developed

Well analyzed present fossil fuel

consumption points by different actors and

related expenditure patterns to help assess

GHG emissions savings

Well – analyzed present fossil fuel consumption points

by different actors and related expenditure patterns

to help assess GHG emissions savings


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KPC surveys provide information on what people know (Knowledge),

what they do (Practices), and what services they have access to

(Coverage). Each question in the survey addresses one or more of

these factors.

Most commonly, the results of KPC surveys are used to identify and

prioritize problems or needs; provide information that can be used

to make program design and strategy planning; and monitor or

evaluate a project. A KPC does not provide conclusive quantifiable

answers on the root issue.

As implemented here, the KPC will only provide indicative data, as

it is too blunt an instrument, to provide conclusive data at the

district levels. This would have required implementing multiple

surveys at each site and level, which would have exceeded the

available resources.

2.4 Survey Methodology

The study based on addressing

the Knowledge, Practice and

Coverage (KPC) of various

sources of energy in the study

area was conducted using various

methodologies giving importance

to participatory analysis with a

focus on representation of major

stakeholders and different socio-

economic groups.

Keeping in mind the overall field

work time, distances, travel, and

other logistic constraints, GPs in

each of the three blocks were

selected for conducting the

survey. The proposed methodology based on the ToR included:

PRA mapping & FGD to highlight overall status of energy usage levels and habitation

status in the three blocks;

Survey and selection of respondents based on random purposive sampling method

(access, status and penetration of electricity, economic status of population and

availability of respondents during study period).

With reference to the ToR, the activities chosen for the study include:

Desk review of available documents;

Meetings with Mlinda project staff for finalization of activities and sampling size;

Interviews and discussions with relevant Government agencies, local NGOs, and other

key personnel; (Refer to Annexure 2 for the field visit program and list of people

interviewed).

GPs and specific villages or clusters for survey were selected with the help of

representatives of local NGOs, reflecting areas with no electricity, remote areas,

electrified areas as per government records and poor services.

(It may be noted here that the classification of these villages is based on the GoI

notification of 2004, wherein it states that a village would be declared as electrified,

if:

- Basic infrastructure such as Distribution Transformer and Distribution lines are

provided in the inhabited locality as well as the Dalit Basti hamlet where it exists;

- Electricity is provided to public places like Schools, Panchayat Office, Health

Centers, Dispensaries, Community centers etc;

- The number of households electrified should be at least 10% of the total number

of households in the village).

Sreevidya Gowda

Highlight


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Obtaining quantitative baseline information from primary as well as secondary sources

by using specific structured questionnaires developed for specific stakeholders

identified for this study. Please refer to Matrix 2.3 for list of stakeholders identified

for this study. Refer Annexure 3 for Field Survey Questionnaires.

Surveys were also used to locate the sites of proposed micro-grids. The estimation of

demand was based on the information gathered from the survey.

2.5 Sampling Size and Proposed Activities

2.5.1 Sampling Method: Based on field situation and need certain deviations from the

proposed activity and sample size had to be incorporated. The same is detailed out in Matrix

2.2. Random Purposive sampling method was used to select areas as well as respondent

groups. While GPs and specific villages selected in each block were based on inputs from

local key personnel, accessibility, distance and time efforts were also made to cover remote

areas within individual Blocks. Matrix 2.2 indicates the names of GPs covered in each Block.

Matrix 2.1: Areas selected for Study

Subdivision Canning Baruipur Kakdwip

Block Basanti Gosaba Kultali Patharpratima

Gra

m P

anchayats

Sele

cte

d f

or

Stu

dy

Basanti Bally -1 Deulbari - Debipur Brojoballavpur

Barathgarh Bally-2 Gopalgunj

Jharkhali Gosaba Jalaberia - 1

Jyotishpur Rangabelia Jalaberia - 2

Masjidbati Satjelia Maipith -

Baikunthapur

Uttar Makamberiya

GP coverage 46% 36% 56% 7%

Fig 2.2: Block Maps showing the Surveyed GPs


15

2.5.2 Size: 100 HHs per Block were surveyed of which attempts were made to cover 50 off-

grid and 50 in-grid households. In Kultali all 100 HHs surveyed are within in-grid areas since

as per government records Kultali block is completely electrified. A minimum of five HH

clusters were identified within each block with each cluster comprising 7-10 HHs, based on

the minimum HH count required for economical viability and feasibility of micro-grid models

developed by Mlinda. A total of 296 HHs and 150 HHs in 16 clusters were surveyed in the

study area. Please refer to Matrix 2.3 for sampling size of each stakeholder identified.

2.5.3 Questionnaire: Questionnaires developed were further approved by Mlinda prior to the

field surveys. The questionnaires framed in English for various stakeholders were focused to

address the specific information needs. The interviewers translated it into Bengali verbally

during the training and interview and information in most areas was gathered in Bengali. In

an attempt to ensure that the verbal translation was appropriate and clearly understood by

all interviewers the team reviewed the more technical questions multiple times.

Matrix 2.3: Issues Covered

Issues addressed HHs Clusters Hospitals Schools Commercial Trawlers/

jetties

Market

committees

HH demographics √ √

Market /commercial

demographics √ √ √ √

School demographics √

Present level of fossil

fuel consumption √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Present level of solar

usage √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Present level of

expenses √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Prioritization of energy

sources √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Prioritization of

benefits due to light √ √

Willingness to invest in

solar systems √ √ √ √ √ √ √

2.6 Activity List

The study entailed a comprehensive mix of group discussions and interviews with key

personnel as well as HH level, market level surveys aimed towards determining the level of

usage of fossil fuels, their perceptions and present level of dependence with regard to

alternate sources of energy like solar and diesel generators.


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Matrix 2.4: Sampling for Qualitative & Quantitative Study

Proposed Actual

Activity Description Nos. Total

A. Preparation of instruments

B. Secondary review

C. Depth Interview (DI) with key personnel (as available during study period)

8 10

i. Agencies WBREDA – 1

WBGEDCL – 1

2

ii. Site Level

SDB – 1

BDO – 3

Local NGO - 2

6

D. Focus Group Discussion (FGD)/ Surveys 51 49

i. Group meetings (PRA, SM, etc.)

(CSO’s, Panchayat Members and key

personnel)

1 per block 3 3

ii. Market committees ( based on format) 4 main markets per

block

12 12

iii. Trawler owners and Jetties (survey) 2 per block 6 41

iv. Flour Mills/Saw Mills/ independent shopkeepers/agricultural equipment (survey)

3 per block as per

availability

9 9

v. Cluster areas identified for micro-grids (survey)*

5 per block 15 16

vi. Schools 2 per block 6 52

vii. Block Primary Health Centres 1 per block 43

E. Sample Baseline Survey 300 300

HHs for baseline socio-economic

- 50 in electrified areas - 50 in non electrified areas

100 per block

(3 Blocks)

300

* HHs surveyed in the clusters identified will be considered additionally as part of HH baseline survey

1 Trawler owners were not found in Gosaba. 2 Kultali could not be covered, since no schools with hostels were found. Madrasas (Islamic Schools) were not willing since they felt that they would be connected to the main electric grid in the near future. 3 A privately run community hospital was covered in Kultali


17

2.7 Field Surveys Field team orientation, data collection and

discussions at field level were conducted during

the weeks between 4th of January to 25th January

2013. However, information from Kultali area

had to be collected over the ensuing weeks due

to certain socio-political problems faced in field.

Accessibility and availability of respondents

were problems faced during surveys. Hence, the

interviewers had to visit most locations late in

the evenings when respondents would be

available in the location and are have time for

the activity.

2.8 Limitations

While the effort and focus was to make the study comprehensive and objective, certain

deviations had to be resorted to from the proposed activity list. It has been restricted to a

degree due to limitations encountered as follows:

Accessibility to various clusters/settlements in remote locations. However, every effort

was made to try and cover some remote islands;

Limited support from Mlinda’s CSO partners in the field areas, made it difficult to identify

areas for conducting survey;

Socio-political scenario in Kultali block resulted in having to change locations of study,

repeatedly;

Lack of maps and relevant documentation even at the government agency level related to

the areas of interest, especially in Gosaba and Kultali blocks;

While it was proposed that for the HH level survey, 50 off-grid and 50 in-grid HHs would

be surveyed, in Basanti and Kultali the off-grid respondents are HHs who live within in-

grid areas but haven’t yet been given connections but resort to illegal tapping of

electricity.

People’s perception about solar related studies being only part of marketing mandates

and inability to relate it with the larger picture. It is also evident that HHs in remote

areas seeking subsidy support for procuring solar systems have deliberately stated inflated

levels of kerosene consumption and expense towards fuel for lighting. Therefore, efforts

had to be made to standardize these inflated data values.

Limited ability to identify and locate desired number of schools with hostel facilities

especially In Kultali block; The schools are electrified and they do not at this point forsee

the need for solar power.

Budgetary constraints resulted in very tight schedules for field assessments and sample

size.

Fig: Field Team Orientation – Basanti Block


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19

Section 3: Description of the Study Area

3.0 Introduction

The marine delta or the coastal parts of the district of South 24 Parganas comprising mostly of

Sundarbans was the focus area for this study. South 24 Parganas spreading over an area of

8165 sq km with a population of 69.09 lakhs (2001) has five sub divisions Alipore(Sadar),

Baruipur, Canning, Diamond Harbour and Kakdwip comprising 29 Blocks, 312 GPs and 7

Municipalities.

Some of the blocks in these subdivisions are remote island blocks with very bad transportation

facilities and connectivity to mainland. These are primarily island blocks with hardly any

surfaced road network and electricity in the majority of areas. Recently, there has been some

improvement in mainland connectivity in Basanti and Kultali with construction of a couple of

bridges, but overall the situation still remains grim.

The remoteness of the area is amply understood by the fact that in 4500 sq km of inhabited

area there exists only 42 km of railway line and around 300 km of concrete road network. The

only means of communication between the islands is through the waterways which are poorly

organized and people have to depend on mechanized private boats. These obstacles definitely

prove to be hindrance in development of these areas.

Fig 3.1: Location Map of South 24 Parganas District in WB

Four island blocks of Sundarbans namely Basanti, Gosaba, Kultali and Patharpratima within

the administrative district of South 24 Parganas were chosen for this study. The description of

the selected blocks is given in Matrix 3.1.


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Matrix 3.1: General Description of Target Blocks C

annin

g S

ub-d

ivis

ion

Basanti

Block

Basanti Block is situated in the south – eastern part of South 24-Parganas District

with river Bidya on its east, river Matla on the west, Sandeshkhali-I Block on its

north and Sundarban Tiger Reserve in the south.

The geographical area of the block is 286.03 sq km. This block consists of 13 GPs

and 65 mouzas (inhabited). Basanti Block is located on the border of Sundarban

Tiger Reserve and Hogol River divides the block in two parts. 7 of its GPs are along

the mainland of the district and the remaining 6 GPs are on the either side of river

Hogol which are connected with a bridge.

Gosaba

Block

Gosaba is one of the main deltaic islands in the Sundarbans region, bounded by the

Matala and Zilli rivers/creeks. It is the last inhabited area before the deep forests

of Sundarbans start.

Gosaba is part of Canning Sub division. The geographical area of the block is 285.85

sq km. This block consists of 14 GPs.

Baru

ipur

Sub-d

ivis

ion

Kultali

Block

Kultali part of Baruipur Subdivision is one of the largest islands in the Sundarbans.

The islands in the area are accessible only by boat.

The geographical area of the Block is 239.48 sq. km. This block consists of 9 GPs.

Kakdw

ip S

ub-

div

isio

n Pathar-

pratima

Block

Patharpratima Block with its headquarters in Ramganga is located along the coast

line. Five of its GPs are along the mainland of the district, while the remaining 10

GPs are isolated and separated by rivers & creeks. The major rivers are Thakuran,

Mridangabhanga, Gobadia, Saptamukhi, Karjon Creek, Wals Creek, Chaltadunia,

Jagaddal, Bakchara, etc.

Matrix 3.2 indicates the list of GPs under each of the three blocks selected for the study.

Matrix 3.2: List of GPs in Individual Blocks

Subdivision Canning Baruipur Kakdwip

Block Basanti Gosaba Kultali Patharpratima

GPs

Amjhara Amtali Deulbari - Debipur Achintyanagar

Basanti Bali-1 Gopalgunj Banashyamnagar

Barathgarh Bali-2 Gurguria -

Bhubaneswari

Brajaballavpur

Charabaidya Bipradaspur Jalaberia - 1 Dakshin Gangadharpur


21

Chunakhali Chotta Mollahkhali Jalaberia - 2 Dakshin Roypur

Phulmalancha Gosaba Kundakhali Digambarpur

Jharkhali Kochukhali Maipith -

Baikunthapur

Durbachati

Jyotishpur Kumirmari Merigunge - 1 Gopalnagar

Kanthalberia Lahiripur Merigunge - 2 G-Plot

Masjidbati Pathakhali Herambagopalpur

Nafargunj Radhanagar -

Taranagar

Laxmi Janardanpur

Ramchandrakhali Rangabelia Patharpratima

Uttar

Makamberiya Sambhunagar

Ramganga

Satjelia

3.1 Salient Socio-Economic Data of the Study Area

Table 3.1 gives the demographic profile of the four blocks based on the 2001-11 census data.

Table 3.1: Demographic Profile of the Target Blocks (2001 Census)

Name

of

Block

Area

(ha) Population

SC Population

ST Population

Population

density

(per sq

km)

Literacy

Rate (%)

Poverty

Ratio

(% of

HHs)

M F M F M F

Basanti 404.21 142705 135887 55820 51782 8973 8489 689 68.9 64.89

Gosaba 296.73 113913 108909 73446 69775 10316 10244 751 68.9 38.03

Kultali 306.18 97356 90633 46368 42483 2488 2356 614 60.1 46.36

Pathar 484.47 168324 160445 77874 1926 678 72.8 49.13


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3.1.1 Occupation and Livelihood: As is expected in a predominantly rural economy,

agriculture was the main source of employment;

however agriculture is no longer the main source of

employment or earning in the area, since it is no

longer able to provide a sustainable year round

income to a large part of the working population.

With subdivision and fragmentation of landholding

through generations, the landed households have now

gradually turned marginal. Consequently, in some

islands fishing has become the second most important

occupation for these islanders. The heavy dependence on forest for the landless or marginal

households is also perceptible in the absence of any power driven industry in these islands.

3.1.2 Spatial Distribution of Population (within

the islands): Households which directly depend on

forest and rivers (mostly landless and marginal), are

concentrated on the banks of the rivers bordering

the forest. The landed households are mostly

placed in the interiors or towards the mainland.

Overexploitation of forest and river (fish) resources

is already showing in terms of decreasing yield. For

islands in the periphery of the reserve forest, there

is no urban centre nearby to market their product through crop diversification. These isolated

island settlements are brimming over their sustainable level of population with limited

livelihood options. As a result, recent years have seen an increasing flow of outmigration of

local youth from these islands into different parts of India.

Table 3.2: Occupational Pattern (2011 Census)

Sub Division Canning Baruipur Kakdwip

Blocks Basanti Gosaba Kultali Patharpratima

Workers 89,174 86,054 58,841 140045

Cultivators 23,255 22,761 17,650 48596

Non-Workers 189,418 136,768 129,148 188724

Agricultural Labourers 42,749 40,516 24,485 43615

As per the Rural Household Survey (2005), the dominant income sources of the households

have been used to classify rural households according to five different livelihood strategies.

Some households derive the larger part of their incomes from wage work as daily labourer in

the agricultural or non-agricultural sector which is seasonal and volatile in nature (daily/

agricultural/other physical labour). There are some landed households whose livelihood

depends primarily on farming though they may use majority of their produce for home

Fig 3.2: Harvesting of Crop in Pathar Block

Fig 3.3: Shrimp and Crab Farming in Basanti Block


23

consumption (cultivators). There are others who are neither cultivators nor daily labourers

but are self-employed in the rural non-farm sector like artisans or hawkers. They may include

family members in the work but as such do not employ others (self-employed rural artisan /

hawkers who do not employ others).

Table 3.3: Livelihood Patterns (2011 Census)

Island-

blocks

around

forest

boundary

(%)

Study Area (Blocks)

Canning Sub-division Baruipur

Sub-division

Kakdwip Sub-division

Basanti

(%)

Gosaba

(%)

Kultali

(%)

Patharpratima

(%)

Wage Labourers 48 49.44 41.54 47.45 48.84

Cultivators 34 32.69 36.19 36.67 30.56

Self Employed 5 5.98 5.05 5.76 4.05

Labour oriented

regular jobs in

unorganized sector

5 4.69 6.26 4.92 5.43

Professionals/ jobs

in organized sector

8 7.20 10.95 5.19 11.10

Extent of economic development and employment opportunity for the common people in an

area is significantly dependant on the status of basic infrastructural facilities. Availability of

electricity, access to good quality roads and formal banking and financial institutions are

important indicators of physical infrastructure in an area.

In many islands of these three blocks the only means of communication with the mainland as

well as with other islands is through river channels. Water transport is not well organized and

people have to depend on the mechanized boats run by private operators. Few islands have

concrete/well-maintained jetties. All three blocks have inland transport in the form of

motorized van-rickshaws, and run on diesel. Inland transport within Gosaba is only cycle-vans.

Fig 3.4: Motorized Van-rickshaws – Jharkhali GP

Fig 3.5: Cycle Van-rickshaws – Rangbelia GP


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3.2 Status of Electricity

Till 2010 almost all the islands were devoid of any conventional electricity supply.

Governmental effort to provide solar energy systems at subsidized rate also was not very

successful due to lack of purchasing power of the islanders.

The primary fuel used in the residential sector is predominantly biomass and fossil fuels.

Firewood/Biomass is reported as the predominant fuel for cooking, Kerosene is the

predominant fuel source for lighting of the households. The commercial sector too follows a

marginally increased usage level of the residential sector for these end-uses.

However, concerted efforts in rural electrification under the RGGVY and GoWB’s

electrification drive in these island blocks of Sundarbans are underway. The key players

working in the energy sector in these islands are listed in Matrix 3.3.

Table 3.4: Access to Infrastructure (GoWB HDI Report – 2009)

Island-blocks

around forest

boundary

Study Area (Blocks)

Canning Sub-division Baruipur

Sub-division

Kakdwip

Sub-division

Basanti Gosaba Kultali Patharpratima

%age of HHs with

access to electricity

0.70 0.44 0.92 0.15 0.72

Length of surfaced

roads (in km) per

sq km area

0.36 0.46 0.13 0.41 0.23

Fig 3.6: Inter-island Ferry Transport System

Fig 3.7: Concrete Jetty – Satjelia GP


25

Matrix 3.3: Key Power Agencies in WB

Name Role and Type

West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (WBSEDCL)

Power Transmission and Distribution

West Bengal Renewable Energy Development Agency (WBREDA)

RE Generation and Use

Established in 1993 for promoting RE Technologies

West Bengal Green Energy Development Corporation Ltd (WBGEDCL)

RE Generation and Use

Created by Department of Power & NES, to promote different grid

connected RE based power projects through private sector and

also to ensure investment of private sector in RE systems.

Refer Annexure 4 for the report on current electrification status of the island blocks and its

implications.


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Part II – Analysis


27


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Section 4: Analysis - (Basanti, Gosaba & Kultali Blocks)

4.0 Introduction

This section deals with study findings for Basanti, Gosaba and Kultali blocks. Information both

qualitative and quantitative collected from each of the three blocks has been compiled and

presented together in this section for easy and comparative comprehension of data and

information.

4.1 Present Status of Accessibility to Energy Sources

4.1.1 Grid Power

The Island Blocks of Sundarbans has always been an energy deficient region. Getting

connected to the conventional power grid has been a problem due to the remoteness and lack

of road access to most of the areas.

However, Basanti and Kultali Blocks have been covered under the GoI’s RGGVY programme. It

may be noted here that as per notification issued by MoP, vide their letter No. 42/1/2001-

D(RE) dated 5th February 2004 and its corrigendum vide letter no. 42/1/2001-D(RE) dated

17th February 2004, a village is declared electrified, if:

- Basic infrastructure such as Distribution Transformer and Distribution lines are provided

in the inhabited locality as well as the Dalit Basti hamlet where it exists;

- Electricity is provided to public places like Schools, Panchayat Office, Health Centers,

Dispensaries, Community centers etc;

- The number of households electrified should be at least 10% of the total number of

households in the village).

As per the directives of RGGVY, survey of all GPs is complete. Since, electrification of non-

electrified BPL HHs is financed with 100 percent capital subsidy as per the Kutir Jyoti

Programme in all rural areas, the survey identified BPL HHs were given power connections

first. Overtime applications are being sought from APL HHs for power connections.

Gosaba has been recently brought under the coverage of GoWB Sundarbans Electrification

Programme. Matrix 4.1 gives the details of the GPs considered to be electrified as per

government records based on the above mentioned criteria.


29

Matrix 4.1: Block wise Energized GPs under RGGVY

Basanti Kultali Gosaba

Energised GPs under RGGVY Sundarban Electrification Programme

Amjhara Deulbari Debipur Gosaba

Basanti Gopalgunj Rangbelia

Bharatgarh Gurguria Bhubaneswari

Charavidya Jalaberia-I

Jyotishpur Jalaberia-II

Kanthalberia Kundakhali Godabar

Masjidbati Maipith Baikunthapur

Nafargunj Merigunge-I

Ramchandrakhali Merigunge-II

Uttar Makamberia

Chunakhali

Non-energized GPs

Fulmalancha - Amtali

Jharkhali Bali-I

Bali-II

Bipradaspur

Chotta Mollakhali

Kachukhali

Kumirmari

Lahiripur

Pathankhali

RadhanagarTaranagar

Satjelia

Sambhunagar

Discussions with Block Govt Officials indicate that it is expected

Basanti and Kultali will be 100% electrified by mid 2013. Gosaba is

expected to be covered by the grid by end 2013.

Fig 4.1: Block Maps showing the Energized GPs


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A. Challenges (as per government functionaries)

Some of the challenges/perceptions highlighted during the discussions with the government

officials are:

Quality and hours of service will decrease once all HHs (BPL and APL) are connected to

the grid. Presently, Basanti has power cuts of around 3-4 hours per day and Gosaba and

Kultali 5-6 hours per day. They are apprehensive that service levels will get worse during

the summer months. Currently power cuts are more during the evening and night hours

when the need for electricity is the most.

Unauthorized tapping of power is a major problem. APL HHs are tapping into the grid,

which is resulting in frequent break-down of service.

This is more of a populist move. Declaring a village or GP as electrified based on the

earlier mentioned MoP notification/criteria may result in actual 100 percent

connectivity/coverage not being achieved.

However, the BDO of Basanti Block was of the

opinion that service levels will not decline

since there was no major

industrial/commercial activity in the area,

hence no reason for an overload on the grid.

As per him, the grid network set up has the

capacity to connect and provide 100 percent

service to all the domestic consumers.

B. Observations (based on field study)

In most areas declared as electrified, less than 10 percent of the HHs have got

connections;

Illegal tapping is rampant in areas declared as electrified;

Basanti Market is 100 percent connected but shop keepers and traders complained of bad

supply/service. As per them, there are regular power cuts in the evenings and nights when

businesses need it the most;

All government schools have not yet been

connected to the grid;

Hospitals complained of power cuts and low

voltage resulting in them relying on

generator backup on a regular basis;

During visits to the BDO offices in Basanti,

Gosaba and Kultali it was noted that

generators were being used even while

there was power supply during office hours

to counter low voltage problems. Fig 4.3: Diesel Generator in use at BDO’s Office-Basanti

Fig 4.2: Grid Distribution Sub-station - Basanti


31

Table 4.1 indicates the level of access to electricity in the surveyed locations in these three

blocks. 19.2 percent of the HHs surveyed within in-grid locations were connected to the grid.

Kultali block as per government information is fully electrified but areas surveyed did not

have connectivity at all. However, it may be noted here that around 20 percent of the HHs

surveyed in Kultali tap electricity illegally. Percentage of connectivity is higher in Gosaba,

though only two GPs are electrified at present.

Table 4.1: Level of Connectivity to Electricity in the Locations Surveyed

Block In-grid HHs Off-grid HHs Total surveyed HHs Total HHs in Block

Total

HHs

Connected Total

HHs

Connected Total

HHs

Connected Total HHs

(In-grid

areas)

Connected

(Predictive)

Basanti 116 24 (21%) 26 0 141 24 (21%) 45418 10658

Kultali 146 0 (0% ) 0 0 146 0 (0%) 31997 6399

Gosaba 50 39 (78%) 109 0 159 39(4.5%) 1787 1394

Total 312 63(20%) 135 0 447 63(14%) 79202 19552 (25%)

a. Basanti: The total number of HHs in Basanti is

50,751. There also exists a village/hamlet named

Tridibnagar in Jharkhali GP. This settlement is not yet

covered by the census process, hence HHs in this area

are not part of the HH count of Basanti Block.

Presently, Fulmalancha and Jharkhali are the two

non-electrified GPs in this block. Therefore, based on

the 2001 HH count for Basanti, it can be deduced that

45,418 HHs in Basanti fall within the electrified GPs.

Given that 21 percent of the surveyed HHs within the

in-grid areas is connected, it can be deduced that

around 10658 HHs are presently connected.

b. Gosaba: The total number of

HHs in Gosaba is 44,478. Only

two GPs are electrified in Gosaba

which are Gosaba and Rangbelia.

The number of HHs in these two

GPs is 1787. Based on the survey

findings, 1394 HHs are connected

to the grid.

Fig 4.4: Map Showing GPs Surveyed in Basanti

Fig 4.5: Map Showing GPs Surveyed in Gosaba


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4.1.2 Solar Power

Reliable and quantified data on extent of solar penetration in the three blocks is not

available. Discussions with the BDO and ZP officials reveal that sporadic solar penetration

exists in every GP of the three blocks (around 25 percent penetration). It is mostly used for

household lighting. People of higher socio-economic groups have the capacity to buy and

maintain standalone solar energy systems.

In March 2011, a solar power station was set up at Rajat

Jubilee village in Gosaba Block of the Sundarbans. This

project is unique as it is owned and managed by a

cooperative society in which all consumers are

shareholders, working to provide reliable electricity

(alternate current) round the clock. WWF-India took the

lead in facilitating community mobilization including the

Village Energy Planning process. Fig 4.7: Solar Station – Rajat Jubilee, Gosaba

A major drawback is lack of awareness and information on maintenance which often results in

many households having defunct solar sets. Periodic exposure to cyclonic weather especially

in Gosaba Block causing damage to solar panels, resulting in the user going back to using

kerosene for lighting purpose. Solar users in Gosaba and Kultali reported theft of solar panels

being a common feature. As per the BDO- Basanti, solar usage will decline by 80 percent once

the effort to intensify electrification covers the entire block. However, the BDOs in Kultali

and Gosaba feel solar power demand will always be on the increase since:

Declaring all GPs and villages as electrified does not necessarily mean every HH and

institution has access to grid power;

c. Kultali: The total number of HHs in Kultali is

31,997. The HH population of the locations

surveyed is 7500. While it cannot be said that all

the HHs are not connected, the findings from the

locations surveyed indicate that substantial

number of HHs remain without connection.

Overall it is deduced that around 19,552 HHs are

connected to the grid in these three blocks of

the total 127,226 HHs which is approximately

15.37 percent.

Fig 4.6: Map Showing GPs Surveyed in Kultali


33

Quality and service levels of power supply are major issues. Presently, areas which are

connected suffer from 4-6 hours of power cut which further worsens during the summer

months;

These areas are cyclone prone which tends to cause intense damage to the infrastructure.

Given their remoteness, repair and recovery of the grid will always take a long time;

Therefore, solar systems will always remain the main back up and act as a supplementary

source for lighting in these areas.

Table 4.2 indicates the level of solar usage in the surveyed HHs. Survey further indicates that

Basanti has penetration of around 24.11 percent. Based on the survey it can be deduced that

solar power systems penetration is averaging around 15 percent in these three blocks.

Table 4.2: Solar Penetration in surveyed HHs

Block

In-grid HHs Off-grid HHs Total surveyed HHs Total HHs

in Block

Solar HHs

(Predictive) Total

HHs

Solar

(HHs)

Total

HHs

Solar

(HHs)

Total

HHs

Solar (HHs)

Basanti 116 32 (28%) 26 2 (7.7%) 142 34 (24.11%) 50751 12238

Kultali 146 23 (16%) 0 0 146 23 (16%) 31997 5006

Gosaba 50 4 (0.08%) 109 7 (6.4%) 159 11 (7%) 44478 3077

Total 312 59 (19%) 135 9 (7%) 447 68 (15%) 127226 20321 (15%)

Observations during the survey indicate the following:

Many of the HHs in Gosaba and Kultali have

defunct solar panels. As per discussions with the

respondents in off-grid areas, this was due to

inability of people to invest in revamping the solar

systems damaged due to cyclonic storms. In some

areas people stated that they were hesitant to

invest in solar panels due to instances of these

being stolen.

Fig 4.8: Defunct Solar Station in RKM Centre - Gosaba

In Kultali and Gosaba it was noted that micro grids

had been set up by some institutions to power their needs,

e.g. Kultali BPHC and RKM Centre in Gosaba. However,

these are now lying defunct due to electrification of these

areas. Discussions with the staff in Kultali BPHC reveal that

the shortfall in power is now backed up by diesel

generators.

Commonly used capacity of solar panels is 37 Watt. Fig 4.9: Defunct Solar Power System, BPHC-Kultali


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Given the above seen levels of dependency on Electricity and Solar, based on HHs surveyed it

can be further deduced that 64 percent HHs in in-grid areas and 93.45 percent HHs in off-grid

areas in these three blocks is totally dependent only on kerosene. However, it may be noted

that electrified HHs and solar powered HHs also use kerosene simultaneously in order to

supplement their daily requirements.

Table 4.3: % HHs dependant only on Kerosene

Block

As per Survey Total HHs in block Only dependant on

Kerosene HHs

(predictive) In-grid HH (%) Off-grid HH (%)

Electr

icity

Solar

(HHs)

K-Oil Electr

icity

Solar

(HHs)

K-Oil In-grid Off-

grid

In-grid Off-grid

Basanti 21 28 51 0 7.7 92.3 45418 5333 23163 4922

Kultali 0 16 84 0 0 100 31997 0 26877 0

Gosaba 78 0.08 21 0 6.4 93.6 1787 42691 375 39959

Total 79202 48024 50415

(64%)

44881

(93.45%)

Please refer to the detailed block wise maps below for easier comprehension of survey

locations and spread along with the clusters identified during the study.

Fig 4.10: Map showing Survey Locations and Entities – Basanti Block


35

Fig 4.12: Map showing Survey Locations and Entities – Kultali Block

Fig 4.11: Map showing Survey Locations and Entities – Gosaba Block


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Only about 30 percent of families live in permanent structures with a thatched roof

and mud walls with very few having access to any form of electric power.


37

4.2 Households and Clusters

Households in these islands are major users of fossil fuels for lighting. As mentioned before in

spite of electrification of certain areas dependency on kerosene lamps and lanterns still

remains especially during power cuts. In the off-grid areas kerosene lanterns and lamps

instrumental in providing light for rooms, studies and cooking.

4.2.1 Demography of HHs Surveyed During the HH survey, a total of 446 HHs were covered. The breakdown is as follows:

Table 4.4: Block wise Details of HHs Surveyed

Block HHs HHs part of

clusters

Total No. of HHs

Basanti 102 40 142

Kultali 96 50 146

Gosaba 99 60 159

296 150 446

Please refer to Appendix A for tabulation of GP wise socio economic data of the surveyed

population. Table 4.5 gives the block-wise socio economic profile. 49 percent of the HHs

has a monthly income less than Rs.3000 per month. Income wise Kultali block seems to be

most backward compared to the other two blocks. While the average income is found to be

the least in Kultali it may be noted that these people practice agriculture and fishing which

feeds into the subsistence economy which is not measured. The same applies to a large

extent in Gosaba too. Basanti being closer to Kolkata has many people working in the city’s

periphery as wage labour therefore they are more accurate in stating monthly income levels.

Table 4.5: Socio-economic Profile of HHs Surveyed

Blo

ck

Tota

l H

Hs

Tota

l Pop

Fam

ily S

ize

No.

of

Stu

dents

BPL

HH

s

Primary Occupation

Avg H

H incom

e

(`)

Income category of HH

(`)

WL C B O

< 3

000

3001-

5000

5001 –

8000

> 8

000

Basanti

142 798 7 227 112 65 33 17 26 3868 22 67 36 17

Gosaba

159 690 4 109 119 20 96 9 26 3618.4 84 68 1 4

Kultali 146 744 5 171 81 60 34 6 43 3262.5 114 16 15 3

Overall

Total 447 2232 5 507 312 153 165 33 95 3583 220 151 52 24

Codes Used: Pop Population

WL Wage Labourer C Cultivator

B Business O Others


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65

28

60

33

96

34

17 9 6

26 26

43

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Basanti Gosaba Kultali

Wage Labourer

Cultivator

Business

Others

23 percent of the surveyed population comprises students, one of the important stakeholders

requiring power source for lights.

A. Livelihood Pattern:

60 percent of the HHs in Gosaba are dependent on agriculture as their primary occupation.

Wage labour is the main occupation for HHs in the other two blocks.

142 159 146

798

690 744

227

109 171

276 309

360

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900


Total No of HHs

Total Population

Student Population

No of Points


39

B. Income Levels: Within Basanti block, HHs in Basanti GP have highest average monthly

income. This is due to the existence of more income opportunities in the block headquarters.

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

Basanti Block

Avg HH Income (Rs)

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

Gosaba Block

Avg HH Income (Rs)

114

16 15

3

Monthly Income Profile of HHs (in Rs)

<3000

3001-5000

5001-8000

>8000

Average Income (159 HHs) – Rs.3618/-

22

67

36

17


<3000

3001-5000

5001-8000

>8000



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4.2.2 Consumption of Kerosene at HH Level

Please refer to Appendix B for detailed tabulation of GP wise surveyed HHs consumption of

Kerosene.

As expected amongst the surveyed HHs, Gosaba uses the highest amount of Kerosene

considering that this block is lowest in the electrification coverage. However, levels of usage

of Kerosene in the electrified HHs is also substantial, especially in Kultali where the average

level of consumption/ HH is much higher than Gosaba, clearly indicating lack of access to

other forms of energy or a short fall in amount they have access to.

Table 4.6: Consumption Levels of Kerosene of Surveyed HHs ( in Ltrs)

Block Total

HHs

Total

HHs

using

K.Oil

No. of

Points

Avg.

Hrs/day

Qty got

from PDS

Qty got

from

Market

Total Qty

of K.Oil

used

Avg

consumption

/ HH

Basanti

142 120 276 4.15 4515 3167 7634 54

Gosaba

159 133 309 4.45 4047 5168 9215 58

Kultali 146 146 360 3.45 5745 3333 9078 62

Total 447 399 945 3.15 14307 11668 25927 55.33

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

Kultali Block

Avg HH Income (Rs)

84 68

1 4


<3000

3001-5000

5001-8000

>8000



41

142

159

146

45.15 40.47

57.45

31.67

51.68

33.33

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180


No of HHs

Kerosene from PDS (x100 Ltr)

Kerosene from Market (x100 Ltr)

142 159

146

120 133

144

76.34 92.15 90.78

202.77

285.83

236.43

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350


Total No of HHs

No of Households (Using K-Oil)

K-Oil Consumption (x 100 Ltr)

Expense (x1000 Rs)

Kerosene Consumption Levels

Sourcing Points for Kerosene


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0

10

20

30

40

50

60



Expense (x1000 Rs)

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50



Expense (x1000 Rs)

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45



Expense (x1000 Rs)

Basanti Block

Gosaba Block

Kultali Block


43

Based on the findings given in Table 4.7 where it has been estimated that around 95,296 HHs

in these three blocks are dependent on Kerosene, it can be further deduced that the yearly

consumption of Kerosene at the HH level is at least 55,76,264 litres in these three blocks.

4.2.3 Perception about Various Energy Sources (based on Need and Usage Patterns)

Please refer to Appendix C for detailed tabulation of area wise ranking of various energy

sources in the surveyed locations in all three Blocks. Discussions with respondents indicate

that as per their levels of need and usage of energy sources:

44 percent felt that kerosene is very expensive. 80 percent felt that being easily

accessible and available it is used the most;

Diesel is not a feasible option for HH level energy source for anyone;

48 percent felt that electricity is cheapest but 20 percent were of the opinion that the

service levels are irregular. 60 percent felt that getting access to electricity is a

problem;

62 percent were of the opinion that solar is the best and cheapest option, 30 percent

were not sure since they felt that did not have enough information about maintenance

and back up services nor of the options in solar power gadgets;

In Kultali 100 percent of the respondents felt kerosene is the best option given that it

is easily available. This indicates that there is lack of information about the

advantages of solar as also the fact that people do have the spending power else they

would have found Kerosene expensive too.

It is seen that people in electrified areas like Basanti feel that solar would be a good option

especially with regard to service levels. However, in non electrified areas like most of Gosaba

it is seen that 50 percent think that electricity is the best option.

Table 4.7: Estimated quantum of consumption of Kerosene (in Ltrs)

Block Avg

consumption

(HH/ yr)

Estimated no of HHs

dependant only on K -

Oil

Total Estimated Level of

consumption in HHs dependant

only on K-Oil /year

Basanti

54 28085 1516590

Gosaba

58 26877 1558866

Kultali 62 40334 2500708

Total 58 95296 5576164


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40

50

10

Gosaba Block Preferred Source of Energy (%)

Solar

Electricity

Kerosene

4.2.4 HH Clusters in the Blocks

In the three blocks, 16 clusters of around 7-10 HHs each were identified where the scope of

setting up solar micro-grids can be explored.

Matrix 4.2: Block wise List of Clusters Identified

Name of Block Name of GP Name of Village / Hamlet where

Cluster is identified

No. of HHs

Basa

nti

Bharatgarh 8 no. Goranbose 10

Jyotishpur Ballartop 10

U. Makamberia Kumirmari 10

Masjidbati Gwalpara - Godkhali 10

Gosa

ba

Bally 1 Satyanarayanpur 10

Bally 2 Ghoshpara 10

Bally 2 Uttarpara 10

Satjelia Emlibari 10

Satjelia 8 no. Parashmani 10

Satjelia Luxbagan 10

62.5 12.5

25

Basanti Block Preferred Source of Energy (%)

Solar

Electricity

Kerosene

50 50

Kultali Block Preferred Source of Energyy (%)

Solar

Kerosene


45

Kult

ali

Debipur Bankibabur Bheri 7

Maipith 4 no. Khalpara Baikunthapur 10

Maipith Madhya-gurguria 8

Gopalgunj Sardarpara 8

Debipur Kantamari - Naiyyapara 10

Debipur Kantamari 7

4.2.5 Demographic Profile of Clusters

16 Clusters having 150 HHs have a population of 765 of which 20.4 % are students. The

average income level of the HHS is around Rs. 3777 per month. Please refer to Appendix D for

detailed tabulation of socio-economic details of each cluster identified in the three blocks.

4.2.6 Consumption of Fuel in Identified Clusters

Please refer to Appendix E for detailed tabulation of level of consumption. Our survey

reveals that 5 HHs in Basanti totally depend on Solar for power, and 3 HHs use solar power

along with kerosene.

Table 4.8: Socio-economic Profile of Clusters Surveyed

Blo

ck

Tota

l

HH

s

Tota

l Pop

Fam

ily

Siz

e

No.

of

Stu

dents

BPL

HH

s

Primary Occupation Avg HH

income

(`)

Income category of HH

(`)

WL C B O <

3000

3001-

5000

5001 –

8000

>

8000

Basanti

40 240 6 51 40 26 5 5 4 3518 22 11 6 1

Gosaba

60 256 4 39 60 8 42 3 9 4100 15 42 1 2

Kultali 50 269 5 66 31 32 - 3 14 3712 31 11 6 2

Total 150 765 5 156 131 66 49 11 27 3777 68 64 13 5

Codes Used: Pop Population WL Wage Labourer C Cultivator

B Business O Others

Table 4.9: Consumption Levels of Kerosene of Surveyed HHs ( in Ltrs)

Block Total

HHs

Total

HHs

using

K.Oil

No. of

Points

Avg.

Hrs/day

Qty got

from PDS

Qty got

from

Market

Total Qty

of K.Oil

used

Avg

consumption

/ HH

Basanti

40 35 64 4 1162 962 2076 59

Gosaba

60 60 176 5.15 2391 3052 5443 91

Kultali 50 50 131 3.45 1860 2064 3924 78

Total 150 145 371 4.20 5413 6078 11443 79


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The average consumption of Kerosene per HH is around 79 litres per year. Usage levels in

Gosaba are found to be very high, since these areas do not have access to electricity at all. In

Basanti and Kultali while the HHs surveyed are not electrified some of them resort to illegal

tapping thereby reducing their level of dependence on kerosene. Only two clusters out of 16

aspire for 24 hours of electricity supply. 14 of the clusters stated that they would be very

happy as long as there is lighting during the evening and night.

Please refer to Appendix F for detailed tabulation of ranking area wise in the surveyed

locations in all three Blocks. Discussions with respondents indicate that as per their levels of

need and usage of energy sources:

76 percent felt that kerosene is very expensive. 33 percent felt that being easily

accessible and available it is used the most;

Diesel is not a feasible option for HH level energy source for anyone;

16 percent felt that electricity is cheapest and preferred option. 33 percent felt that

getting access to electricity is a problem;

40 60 50

35 60 50

64

176

131

173

454

327

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

500


No of HHs

No of HHs using Kerosene

No of Points

K-Oil Consumption (Ltrs)

2893

4100 3712

125

235

197

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

4500

5000


Monthly Expense-Kerosene (Rs)

Avg Monthly HH Income (Rs)

Cluster Level Consumption of Kerosene

Monthly Expense on Kerosene


47

34

50

16

Gosaba Block Preferred Source of Energy (%)

Solar

Electricity

Kerosene

82 percent were of the opinion that solar is cheapest option, 55 percent were not sure

since they felt that did not have enough information about maintenance and back up

services nor of the options in solar power gadgets;

In Kultali 100 percent of the respondents felt kerosene is the best option given that it

is easily available. This indicates that there is lack of information about the

advantages of solar as also the fact that people do have the spending power else they

would have found Kerosene expensive too.

It is seen that people in electrified areas like Basanti feel that solar would be a good option

especially with regard to service levels. However, in non electrified areas like most of Gosaba

it is seen that 50 percent think that electricity is the best option.

75

25

Basanti Block Preferred Source of Energy (%)

Solar

Kerosene


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More than a quarter of the population has no access to institutional health care, and

schools are few and far between. Schools dropout is largely due to accessibility and

general morbidity rates are higher than the state average.


49

4.3 Schools and Hospitals

4.3.1 Energy Usage in School Hostels

Schools in Basanti and Gosaba blocks are dependent on kerosene for lighting. Schools in

Kultali have already been provided with electricity connection. Discussions reveal that schools

in Basanti have already applied for connection and are awaiting connectivity. The government

schools in these blocks have now been provided with support of solar systems or diesel for

running experiments in the science laboratories.

Schools with hostels are supported by the Backward Classes Welfare Department (BCWD) of

GoWB. These hostels are specifically for children from backward classes. Children staying in

these hostels depend on kerosene sourced from their homes every week for light to study

during late evenings and early mornings. Given the distance from their own houses and also

their socio-economic background, very often the children are found sharing the light of one

lantern between groups of 4-6 students.

MATRIX 4.3: LIST OF GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS WITH HOSTELS (BCWD)

NO. BASANTI GOSABA KULTALI

1 MAHESHPUR JASADA

VIDYAPITH(BOYS & GIRLS)

AMRITA NAGAR HIGH SCHOOL (BOYS &

GIRLS)

DEBIPUR HM BIDYAPITH UP

2 MAHESHPUR P. BALIKA

VIDYAMANDIR

BIPRADASPUR HIGH SCHOOL (BOYS &

GIRLS)

DEBIPUR KB BIDYATAN UP

3 HEROBHANGA VIDYASAGAR

VIDYAMANDIR

TARANGAR BTC B MANDIR HS JAMTALA BC HIGH SCHOOL

4 NAFARGUNJ BAIDYANATH

VIDYAPITH

MONGAL CHANDRA BIDYAPITH UP (BOYS

& GIRLS)

KACHIAMARA H HIGH SCHOOL

5 MASJIDBATI PARBATI H SCHOOL PATHANKALIA BIDYAPITH UP BJ KRISHNS HIGH SCHOOL

6 JANAPRIYANAGAR JANAPRIYA

VIDYALAYA

BIJAYNAGAR A BIDYAMANDIR(H.S) BAIKUNTHAPUR HIGH SCHOOL

7 SRI SRI R.K. SIKSHANIKETAN MANMATHAPUR HOGH SCHOOL MP GURGURIA A BIDYAPITH UP

8 BASANTI H.SCHOOL(BOYS & GIRLS) RANGABELIA HIGH SCHOOL

9 KUMRAKHALI KEDARNATH

VIDYAPITH

R NAGAR J NATH S NIKETAN UP

10 NARAYANTALA R.K VIDYAMANDIR RADHANAGAR K BARI HIGH SCHOOL

11 TARANGAR J H SCHOOL UP

12 D R NAGAR S G HIGH SCHOOL

13 SATYANARAYANPUR SB HS

14 SANTIGACHI HIGH SCHOOL

15 RAJAT JUBILY HIGH SCHOOL

16 SAMBHUNAGAR HIGH SCHOOL

17 MANMATHANAGAR HIGH SCHOOL

18 MOUKHALI CHANDIBAN F VIDYAMANDIR

19 DAYAPUR PC SEN HIGH SCHOOL

20 KALIDASPUR BC J HIGH SCHOOL


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4.3.2 Demography of Schools Surveyed

The average number of surveyed students in each school is found to be higher in Gosaba than

in Basanti. Most of the schools have hostels with capacity of 40-60.

Table 4.10: Profile of Surveyed Schools

Block Name

of GP Name of School

Age of

School

No. of

registered

students

Capacity

of hostel

Actual

boarders

Source of

light in

hostels

Basa

nti

Masjid

Bati

Masjidbati High

School 70 1900 35 35 Kerosene

Basanti Maheshpur Prafulla

Balika Vidya Mandir 34 350 250 250

Kerosene.

Solar lying

defunct

Basanti

Matgara abdul

Kader Siddiqui

Madrasa

47 135 50 50 Kerosene

Gosa

ba

Bally 2 Bijoynagar adarsh

Vidyamandir 44 1641 63 52

Kerosene

and Solar

Bally 1

Satyanarayanpur

Sashi Bushan High

School

62 1000 45 45 Solar

4.3.3 Consumption of Fuel in Schools

20 percent run of the surveyed schools run on only solar. 20 percent uses a mix of solar and

kerosene. However, based on discussions it was found that while solar lighting points help

provide light in their rooms but students still need to use kerosene lamps for more light to

study since the solar lamps are found to be inadequate in intensity.

Table 4.11 gives the level of fossil fuel consumption in schools. As per the data available, it

can be further estimated that the average annual consumption of kerosene per student (over

a ten month academic period) is approximately 18 liters.


51

Table 4.11: Consumption Levels of Fuel in Schools Blo

ck

Nam

e

of

GP

Nam

e o

f

School

Actu

al

board

ers

Fuel Usage in School Hostels

Source of

light

No of

points

Hrs /

day

Qty

/mth)

(Ltrs)

Qty/yr

(10

mths)

Qty

from

PDS

Qty from

market

Basa

nti

Masjid

bati

Masjidbati

High School 35

Kerosene

sourced

from home

35 5 105

1050

525

425

Basanti

Maheshpur

Prafulla

Balika Vidya

Mandir

250

Kerosene

sourced

from home

250 4 375 3750

2500 1250

Basanti Matgara

Abdul Kader

Siddiqui

Madrasa

50

Kerosene

sourced

from home

40 4 80 800 500 300

Total 325 4.15 560 5600 3525 1975

Gosa

ba

Bally 2 Bijoynagar

Adarsh

Vidyamandir

52

Kerosene

sourced

from home

52 5 117 1170 520

650

Bally 1 Satyanarayan

pur Sashi

bushan High

School

45 Solar 3 6 Not Applicable

35

250

40 52

105

375

80

117

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

Masjidbati High School

Maheshpur PBVM

Matgara AKSM

Bijoynagar AVM

No of Points

No of Ltrs per Month

Consumption Levels in Hostels


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Based on the above findings a predictive estimation of kerosene consumption in Schools in

Basanti and Gosaba Blocks (based on list of Backward Classes Welfare Department) can be

determined. However, since the capacity of hostel in each of the schools is not detailed out

by the Department any such calculation would not be realistically indicative.

4.3.4 Perceptions regarding Various Energy Sources

Please refer to Appendix G for the detailed tabulation of perceptions about various fuel

sources. A ranking exercise of fuels to map their attitude towards solar was conducted with

the respondents. Matrix 4.4 below provides the findings.

Matrix 4.4: Perceptions in Schools

Block Name

of GP

Name of

School

Ranking of Various Energy Sources Attitude towards

Solar 1 2 3 4

Basa

nti

Masjid

Bati

Masjidbati

High School

Electri-

city Solar Kerosene Diesel

Option can be

considered if revenue

model is feasible and

subsidized. However,

electricity is best

Basanti

Maheshpur

Prafulla Balika

Vidya Mandir

Solar Electri-

city Kerosene Diesel

Willing if subsidized

with availability of

information on back

up services

Matgara

Matgara Abdul

Kader Siddiqui

Madrasa

Kerosene Electri-

city Solar Diesel



information on

revenue and

maintenance

Gosa

ba

Bally 2

Bijoynagar

Adarsh

Vidyamandir

Solar Electri-

city Kerosene Diesel



information on back

up services

Bally 1

Satyanarayan-

pur Sashi

Bushan High

School

Solar Electri-

city Kerosene Not

feasible



information on back

up services

Solar 60% think solar is best 20% think it is a secondary option

Electricity 80% wary of level of service and

time it will take to get connectivity 20% think it’s the best option

Kerosene 80% think it is very expensive 20% of the opinion that its easily available

even if it is expensive


53

4.3.4 Energy Consumption in Hospitals

Like most remote rural areas there is a huge deficit in health infrastructure in the Indian

Sundarbans. This gets further compounded by the lack of access to basic amenities like

electricity or continued access to source of power. The BPHC in each block and a privately

run hospital in Kultali was surveyed.

4.3.5 Demography of Hospitals Surveyed

Survey of the BPHCs indicates that there are regular power cuts especially in the evening

hours. The voltage levels in Basanti are often so low that they are forced to use the diesel

generators in the Operation Theatre. Kultali BPHC had a solar micro gird set up in early 2000.

But today it is lying defunct due to panels having been stolen.

Table 4.12: Demography of PHCs Surveyed

Block Average footfall of

patients/day

Bed capacity of

Hospital

Source of Power

Basanti 245 30 Electricity

Diesel for Operation Theatre

Gosaba 170 30 Electricity

Inverter for shortfall of power and

voltage

Biomass Gasifier

Kultali 250 30 Electricity

Generator for shortfall of power

and voltage

Kultali - BPS Rural

Community Hospital

13 10 Diesel - 6 hrs

Solar – 6 hrs

60 20

20

Best Option for Schools (%)

Solar

Electricity

Kerosene

20

80

80

Secondary Option for Schools (%)

Solar

Electricity

Kerosene


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4.3.6 Level of Energy Consumption in the Hospitals

Table 4.13: Demography of PHCs Surveyed

Block Source of

Power

No of

Points

Hrs of Usage Qty of fuel

Used

Expense/ Year

Basanti Electricity 160 24 hrs Bill paid through accounts dept.

Diesel (15 kV) OT 26hrs/month Provided for by government funds

Diesel generator through private operator for

lighting and other purposes (during powercuts)

20 litres /

month

Paid through BMOH

fund. The operator is

paid only for the

diesel.

Gosaba Electricity 90 24 hrs

Inverter 700 kV

Gasifier ` 8000-9000/month

Kultali Electricity 140 24 hrs Bill paid through accounts dept.

Diesel Emergencies during power

cuts

Provided for by government funds

Kultali - BPS

Rural

Community

Hospital

Diesel 24 6 hrs 270 ` 184680

Solar

37 – 2 No

75 – 3 No

13 6 hrs ` 5000

4.3.7 Perceptions regarding Energy Sources

The findings of the survey pertaining to people’s perceptions are indicative of the following:

Electricity is most convenient and cheap;

Forced to use diesel generators since it can take the load of running required

machinery during operations;

Solar can be a feasible option for lighting.


55

A number of industries (wood related) are based on the raw materials obtained from

the Sundarbans ecosystem. Economic activities, such as transport provision, small-

scale commerce and tourism play a subsidiary role in defining the local economy.


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4.4 Commercial Establishments

The economy on the islands is mainly based on agriculture and supplemented by income from

fishing or the collection of forest resources. Lack of access to basic amenities and remoteness

of the areas are major obstacles for setting up of any industries in this area. Commercial

activity in this area is therefore restricted to small shops, markets selling various products

and sawmills and flourmills catering to the local needs. No estimation exists of the no. of

shops or mills in these blocks, however rough estimates indicate that there are 130 markets in

these three blocks.

4.4.1 Demography of Markets Surveyed

Survey indicates that markets in Basanti block have shops ranging from 180-500. Markets in

the other two blocks have shops 29-150. Most shops have more than one point connection.

The rate per month for each point varies from Rs.150 – 210.

Survey findings are mostly based on responses from shopkeepers in the market area and

market committee members. Diesel generator operators were not available and could not be

contacted since often they operate in many areas. As per responses from the people

managing the diesel generators often shop keepers tap into the connection and get illegal

connection points. At such times they talk to the market committee and settle the dispute.

Table 4.14: Demography of Surveyed Markets

Blo

ck

Nam

e o

f G

P

Nam

e o

f

Villa

ge/

Ham

let

Nam

e o

f

Mark

et

Peri

odic

ity

of

mark

et

No.

of

genera

tors

pro

vid

ing

pow

er

Shop details

Month

ly

Rate

per

Poin

t (`

)

Tota

l N

o

Sin

gle

poin

t

Double

poin

ts

Basa

nti

Jharkhali Tridibnagar Bally Bazaar

Daily (Haat 2 days /week)

5 kV -1

2.5 kV - 1

180 (Addl 50 twice a week)

165 15 180

Bharat- garh Bharatgarh

Bharat- garh Regular

4 gen-sets

(Each 140 points)

300 50 250 180

Sonakhali Sonakhali Sonakhali Regular 6 gen-sets 500 100 400 180

Basanti Basanti Main market Regular Electrified

(3 years) 400

Gosa

ba

Satjelia Luxbagan Luxbagan Regular 80 79 1 160

Bally 2 Bally 2 Bally Bazaar

Regular 100 20 80 160

Bally 1 Amlamethi Raja Bazaar

Regular 50 40 10 160

Satjelia Satjelia Satjelia Bazar

Regular 5 kV – 2 150 130 20 150


57

Kult

ali

Debipur Gostotala More

Gostotala Market

Regular 2.5 kV 29 5 24 150

Gopalgunj Gopalgunj M. Adhikari Haat

Twice weekly

6 kV 80 20 60 150

Kantamari Madhupur Madhupur Market

Regular 5 kV – 3 70 50 20 180

Deulbari Deulbari Jiten Mandal Bazar

Regular 5 kV – 2 40 35 5 210

4.4.2 Consumption of Diesel in Markets

The following table gives the level of consumptions of diesel in markets. Please refer to

Appendix H for detailed tabulation of level of diesel consumption in the surveyed areas.

Average consumption of diesel per market is highest in Basanti. Survey indicates that the

operators earn substantially from providing power to these markets.

Table 4.15: Level of Diesel Consumption in Surveyed Markets

Block Total

contribution

for light/yr

(`)

Diesel Details Earnings of

Gen-set

Operator

(`)

Qty

/year

(ltrs)

Expense on

fuel/ yr @

(` 57/ltr)

Expense on

maintenance/

yr (`)

Basanti Total 3553200 12840 731880 570000 2251320

Average 1184400 4280 243960 190000 750440

Gosaba Total 922320 5340 304380 150000 1023660

Average 230580 1335 76095 37500 255915

Kultali Total 655200 5520 314640 34800 305760

Average 163800 1380 78660 8700 76440

Overall Average 526260 2332 132905 78733 360932

Estimate for 130 markets

in the 3 blocks 68413800 303160 17277650

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

Basanti Gosaba Kultali Overall

Qty of Diesel / Year

Qty of diesel/ yr


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Based on the available data, there are around 130 functional markets in these three blocks. It

is further estimated that the total consumption of diesel in all these markets together would

amount to around 303160 litres per annum.

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

Jharkhali (Tridibnagar)

Bharatgarh Sonakhali

No of Shops

Single Pt Connections

Double Point Connections

Diesel Consumption per Year (x100 Ltrs)

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

Satjelia (Luxbagan) Bally 2 Bally 1 (Amlamethi)

Satjelia

No of Shops




0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Debipur (Gostotala More)

Gopalgunj Kantamari (Madhupur)

Deulbari

No of Shops




Basanti Block

Gosaba Block

Kultali Block


59

Discussions on feasible alternate energy options for lighting the markets reveal the following:

In Basanti Block people prefer electricity as it is cheap. Their secondary option is solar

but they do not have any information of solar micro-grids that can be used for this

purpose. They find diesel is very expensive and disruption due to maintenance is very

high. Some markets like Tridibanagar market had been approached by a dealer for

standalone panels and they found the investment very high.

In Gosaba 50 percent felt that solar is a good option but they are not aware of micro-

grids so felt that their decision would be based on them assessing and understanding

how these grids work and how feasible it would be.

In Kultali 50 percent felt electricity if available is the best option and another 50

percent felt that diesel is the best option since it is easily available and the operator

takes care of all the maintenance and logistical problems.

4.4.3 Energy Usage in the Commercial Sector

As mentioned before households in the island blocks derive the larger part of their incomes

from wage work as daily labourer in the agricultural or non-agricultural sector which is

seasonal and volatile in nature (daily / agricultural / other physical labour). There are some

landed households whose livelihood depends primarily on farming though they may use

majority of their produce for home consumption (cultivators). There are others who are

neither cultivators nor daily labourers but are self-employed in the rural non-farm sector like

artisans or hawkers. Village based commercial sectors comprises of saw-mills, flour mills etc.

4.4.4 Demography of Commercial Sector Surveyed

A mix of sawmills, flourmills and farmers using shallow pumps were surveyed as follows:

Matrix 4.4: Commercial Establishments Surveyed

Blo

ck

Name of GP

Name of

Village/

Hamlet

Nature of

Business Fuel Used

Purpose

No of Hrs

/ Day

Problem faced

due to quality

of fuel

Basa

nti

Basanti Kalidanga Sawmill Diesel sawing 3 Damage to

machine

Basanti Ballartop Flourmill Diesel sawing 6 -

Basanti Ballartop Shallow

pump Diesel - 8

Uttar

Makamberiya

Uttar

Makamberiya

Shallow

pump Diesel - 6

Gosa

ba

Bally1 Satyanarayan

pur Sawmill Diesel - 7

Damage to

machine

Bally1 Bally 1 Flourmill Diesel - 3 Damage to

machine

Bally2 Bally 2 Sawmill Diesel - 6 Damage to

machine


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Kult

ali

Moipith-

Baikunthapur Baikunthapur Sawmill Diesel sawing

3

Jhalaberia Phultali Shallow

pump Diesel

20

Damage to

machine

Quality of fuel is a major concern of most respondents, since adulteration is a major problem

in these areas.

4.4.5 Consumption levels of Diesel by the Agro-commercial Sector

The study sample size being very small just provides an indicative estimation of what is the

level fo consumption of diesel by each of these operations. However, size of operation is a

major factor in determining what can be the level of consumption of fuel. Please refer to

Appendix I for detailed tabulation of level of consumption and expenses of each respondent.

Shallow pumps are used for duration of 2-3 months/year depending upon the cultivation

cycles adopted in the area. In spite of there being a vast difference in the kind of operations

the average diesel usage in this sector / block as crudely estimated stands as follows:

Table 4.16: Fuel Consumption in the Agro-Commercial Sector

Block Hrs required /

day

Qty of fuel / year (Ltrs)

Expense /year on fuel

(`)

Expense on maintenance/yr

(`)

Basanti 5.45 1282.5 73103 9600

Gosaba 5.20 2160 92340 3800

Kultali 11.30 570 16245 2550

Overall Average 7.15 1338 605623 5317

4.4.6 Perceptions regarding Various Energy Sources

Perception on the best source of energy was documented by conducting a ranking exercise.

Please refer to Appendix J for detailed tabulation of ranking. The findings reveal that:

100 percent users feel that electricity is the best and cheapest option and will also

result in low maintenance of their machines.

Diesel is preferred only due to its easy availability but the quality of fuel is a major

concern thereby increasing the expenditure on maintenance.

100 percent users would be willing to invest in solar since they think it would be cheap

but they are not aware and are unsure of how solar will help them run their machines.


61

Transportation networks in the Sundarbans are underdeveloped and remain largely

dependent on river transport. Most of the waterways are catered to by mechanized

country boats, all of which are unlicensed.


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4.5 Water Transport

Transportation networks in the Sunderbans are underdeveloped and remain largely dependent

on river transport. The only means of communication between the islands is through the

waterways which are poorly organized. Most of the waterways are catered to by mechanized

country boats, all of which are unlicensed. Government run launches are almost non-existent.

The unlicensed mechanized country boats are used as passenger boats as well as boats to

carry goods. They are most often overcrowded and overloaded and there is no control

exercised by any authority. Certain ghats or jetties which are the only points of contact with

the outer world for vast areas and large islands are catered to by only a few boats during the

whole day. Even the country boats are not sufficient in number.

Discussions with people managing the ferry services at the jetties reveal that the operations

are contracted out to a private operator based on a bid every year.

As per secondary information available, the details of ferry ghats and services are as given in

the following table:

4.17: Details of Ferry Services

Block No. of Ferry Operators

Basanti 8

Gosaba 6

Kultali 2

Attempts by our team to have detailed discussions with the operators managing the ferry

operations did not reveal much since they were unwilling to reveal the details. They were

unwilling to provide many details.

4.5.1 Demography and Fuel Consumption levels of Ferry Services

Table 4.18: Fuel Consumption by Ferry Servies

Block GP Name of Jetty

No. of boats

Total no. of trips/

day

Qty of diesel(ltr) used /day

Qty used/ year

(Ltrs)

Expense on maintenance/

year (Rs)

Gosaba Gosaba Gosaba Ferry Ghat

4 80 50 18000 50000

Kultali Gopalgunj Piali River Ghat

2 Depends on traffic

10 3600 10000


63

The respondents were of the opinion that solar would be an acceptable option if it reduced

fuel and maintenance costs. However, they were not aware of how solar can be used to run

boats.

4.5.2 Fuel Consumption by Fishing Trawlers

Fishing is one of the primary sources of livelihood of the local, forest-dwelling population, as

few people have access to agricultural land.

Demography and consumption level of fuel of Trawler Services surveyed.

Trawler owners were found in Basanti and Kultali. Given the varied length of trips carried out

by each trawler owner, and the licenses not being a good indicator of the number of actual

trawlers it is difficult to even get an indicative figure of the amount of fuel consumed by

them. However, the survey gives an estimate of the kind of fuel usage based on the length of

the fishing trip.

Fishing is allowed free in tidal waters, provided the fishing boats are registered and pay the annual

registration fees and royalty for using dry firewood (STR, 1973-74 to 1978-79: 32). Fishing is regulated by the

restriction on the number of boats that can fish in the permit area, through the Boat License Certificate

(BLC) issued by the Forest Department. There were 923 BLCs that were issued for fishing in the STR, based

on an assessment undertaken by the Forest Department and the Fisheries Department. Another 3,700 BLCs

were issued to fishers in the Reserve Forest area. Currently, out of the 914 BLCs in the STR, only 709 are

actively used for fishing. The other BLCs are not valid, as they are not renewed by the owners.

As per studies, the 24 Parganas South District has a marine fisherfolk population of 2,69,565, with an active

fisher population of 70,750, located in 237 villages (CMFRI 2005). The 24 Parganas South District has 6,205

mechanized craft, 1,028 motorized craft and 6,046 non-motorized craft fishing in marine waters (CMFRI,

2005). The mechanized fishing vessels in the 24 Parganas South District include trawlers, large gill-netters

and dol-netters, fishing outside the Sundarbans forest area, in the Bay of Bengal. Some of the motorized

boats fishing in the reserve forest area have motors of 12 hp to 24 hp.

At present, only 709 BLCs are active, and even though the Forest Department has recently estimated that

the number of inactive BLCs is 104, no procedure has been initiated, as yet, to redistribute BLCs to active

fishers. Informal arrangements exist within villages for active fishers who wish to fish, to lease BLCs from the

owners, thus making the BLC a “leasable property”. Fishers who cannot afford to pay the lease amount have

little option but to fish illegally in the permitted areas, given that there are few other livelihood choices

available.

Since the motorized boats of fishers living in the fringe areas of the STR are not allowed to navigate through

the buffer area and the core area, they are forced to take long detours to reach their fishing grounds. These

detours are time-consuming and fuel-intensive, increasing operational costs. As a Jharkhali-based fisher said,

“We take a detour of 12 hours to go to the sea to fish, though there is a route straight through the STR

(core) to reach the sea which takes only six hours. We are compelled to spend on an additional six hours of

fuel, for which we incur a loss with no compensation.

Source: Fishing Community Issues in the Sundarban Tiger Reserve (STR) by International Collective in

Support of Fishworker, Chennai (2009)


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4.5.3 Perceptions regarding Various Energy Sources by Boat Owners

The responses from boat owners (both ferries as well as trawlers) indicate the following:

Respondents in Basanti and Gosaba stated that they had no idea of how solar could be

used to power their boats/trawlers. But they were of the opinion that if it saved fuel

maintenance costs then there could be a willingness to adopt solar powered systems.

Respondents in Kultali expressed willingness to adopt solar powered motors for their

boats and trawlers.

Table 4.19: Fuel Consumption by Trawlers B

lock

GP

Nam

e o

f T

raw

ler

Ow

ner

No.

of

traw

lers

ow

ned

No.

of

1 d

ay

trip

s/ y

r

Qty

of

Fuel

use

/ t

rip

(ltr

s)

No.

of

10-1

5 d

ay

trip

s /y

r

Qty

of

Fuel

use

/ t

rip

No.

of

15-3

0 d

ay

trip

s /

yr

Qty

of

Fuel

use

/ t

rip

(ltr

s)

Qty

use

d

/year

(ltr

s)

Expense

/

year

(`)

Basanti Purandor Suman

Das

2 - - 20 200 - - 4000 228000

Kultali Gopalgunj Chitta-

ranjan

Das

1 22 30 15 300 1 2000 13100 746700


65

Section 5: Analysis (Patharpratima Block)

5.0 Introduction

This section deals with the study findings in Patharpratima Block. Information both qualitative

and quantitative collected has been compiled and presented together in this section.

Brajaballavpur GP is located in the

southern most part of Patharpratima

Block within a distance of 7 km on

water ways. This GP is completely

isolated from the main land and

surrounded by Saptamukhi River in the

west, Walse Creek in the north, Carjon

Creek in the east and Bay of Bengal in

the south. The villages are protected by

the earthen dykes and the sea facing

embankments are strengthened by brick

block pitching. However the villages are

mostly vulnerable to natural disasters

like cyclonic storm induced flash flood,

coastal erosion, tidal surge and breach

of embankments. This GP is within 10

km of Sundarban Reserve Forest and

around 25 km from STR area.

Fig 3.1: Patharpratima Block Map with Brajaballavpur GP

Brajaballavpur GP comprises four mouzas viz Kshetramohanpur, Brajaballavpur, Gobindapur

Abad and Rakshaskhali having a total geographical area of 33.55 sq km. Rakshaskhali village is

further isolated from the GP itself and bounded by rivers and sea. The area is mainly

monocropped. Total population of the GP is 23,260 (2011). Number of total workers in this GP

is 11,090 (48 percent). Total number of household is 3883 who are basically cultivators and

belong to marginal, sub-marginal farmers’ categories. Households belong to Below Poverty

Line (BPL) are around 37 percent (not yet finalized) which is above the state average. Persons

belong to Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes are 5662 (24 percent) & 25 (less than 1

percent) respectively. Having close proximity to the sea a considerable portion of work force

that is mainly belonging to farmers and agricultural labourers take up sea fishing in the lean

season of cultivation in spite of high risks in this venture.


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5.1 Present Status of Accessibility to Energy Sources (as per government projects)

5.1.1 Grid Power

The Island Blocks of Sundarbans has always been an energy deficient region. Getting

connected to the conventional power grid has been a problem due to the remoteness and lack

of road access to most of the areas.

This Block has been covered under the SEB under the GoI’s RGGVY programme. It may be

noted here that as per notification issued by MoP, vide their letter No. 42/1/2001-D(RE) dated

5th February 2004 and its corrigendum vide letter no. 42/1/2001-D(RE) dated 17th February

2004, a village is declared electrified, if:

- Basic infrastructure such as Distribution Transformer and Distribution lines are provided

in the inhabited locality as well as the Dalit Basti hamlet where it exists;

- Electricity is provided to public places like Schools, Panchayat Office, Health Centers,

Dispensaries, Community centers etc;

- The number of households electrified should be at least 10 percent of the total number

of households in the village).

As per the directives of RGGVY, survey of

all GPs is complete. Since, electrification

of non-electrified BPL HHs is financed with

100 percent capital subsidy as per the

Kutir Jyoti Programme in all rural areas,

the survey identified BPL HHs were given

power connections first. Overtime

applications are being sought from APL

HHs for power connections. As per the

updated status available on the RGGVY

website, it has been confirmed that work

pertaining to 36 villages has been

completed and 42 villages do not fall

under the purview of this scheme.

Therefore it can be assumed that 50 of the

92 villages in this block are targeted under

the electrification programme. Please

refer to Annexures 5 & 6 for the current

status of coverage / completion under the

RGGVY program.

Fig 3.2: Patharpratima Block Map showing Energized GPs.


67

Fig 3.3: Patharpratima - Energized GPs Fig 3.4: Patharpratima – Surveyed GPs

Matrix 5.1 provides names of the villages that are being covered, list of villages where work

is completed and villages which do not come under any form of electrification programme.

Matrix 5.1: Power Grid Coverage (RGGVY)

GP Village / Hamlet Remarks

Dakshin Gangadharpur

(7)

Malaya

Ramdebpur

Nilerat

Dakshin Madhusudanpur

Dakshin Gangadharpur

Bhajna

Abad Gangadharpur

Electrified GP

(less Ramdebpur)

Dakshin Roypur

(3)

Dakshin Raypur

Piprakhali

Kaorakhali

Electrified GP

Srinarayanpur-

Purnachandrapur

(4)

Meherpur

Srinarayanpur

Taranagar

Purna Chandrapur

Electrified GP


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Digambarpur

(8)

Dakshin Durgapur

Indra Narayanpur

Digambarpur

Gurudaspur

Paschim Sridharpur

Uttar Mahendrapur

Parbatipur

Ramnagar Abad

Electrified GP

Durbachati

(7)

Kamdebnagar

Chintamanipur

Radhakrishna Nagar

Krishnapur

Durbachati

Jameson Island

Paschim Surendra Nagar

Electrified GP

(less Jameson Island)

Gopalnagar

(5)

Harikrishnapur

Mahendra Nagar

Gopalnagar Dakshin

Gopalnagar Uttar

Durgagobindopur

Electrified GP

Ramganga

(11)

Rajrajeshwaripur

Biswanathpur

Gayadham

Indraprastha

Jagindrapur

Dakshin Mahendrapur

Ramganga

Dakshin Gobindapur

Debichak

Sagar Madhabpur

Dakshin Sibpur

Electrified GP

Patharpratima

(8)

Madhab Nagar

Paschim Dwarakapur

Baradapur

Bhagabatpur

Plot 6th Portion (Khas)

Kishori Nagar

Dakshin Lakshminarayanpur

Dakshin Shibganj

Electrified GP

(less Plot 6th Portion – Khas)

Laxmijanardhapur

(6)

Lakshmi Janardanpur

Purba Chintamonipur

Kumarpur

Maheshpur

Kedarpur

Purba Dwarokapur

Non-electrified GP


69

Herambagopalpur

(4)

Kuemuri

Purba Surendranagar

Heramba Gopalpur

Dakshin Kashinagar

Non-electrified GP

Achintyanagar

(6)

Lakshmipur

Bishnupur

Kamdebpur

Achintya Nagar

Purba Sripatinagar

Paschim Sripatinagar

Non-electrified GP

Brajballavpur

(4)

Rakshaskhali

Kshetra Mohanpur

Brojaballabpur

Gobindapur Abad

Non-electrified GP

Banashyamnagar

(4)

Chhoto Banashyam Nagar

Sibnagar

Banashyam Nagar

Gangapur

Non-electrified GP

Sridharnagar

(3)

Upendra Nagar

Rakhalpur

Sridhar Nagar

Non-electrified GP

G-Plot

(12)

Krishnadaspur

Daspur

Uttar Surendraganj

Dakshin Surendraganj

Indrapur

Buraburir Tat

Sitarampur

Gobardhanpur

Plot G 6th Portion

Burge Island

Satyadaspur

Plot L Southern portion

Non-electrified GP

Green – Completed under RGGVY (Electrification / Intense Electrification) - 36

Blue – In Progress under RGGVY (Electrification / Intense Electrification) - 14

Red – Not covered under RGGVY – 42

The four villages Gobindopur Abad, Brojoballavpur, Khetromohanpur and Rakhashkhali in

Brojovallavpur GP of Patharpratima Block where the survey was conducted however still

remain un-electrified or de-electrified.


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Table 5.1: Level of Connectivity to Electricity in the Locations Surveyed

Villages Total surveyed HHs Total HHs in GP

Total HHs Connected Total HHs Connected

(Predictive)

Gobindopur 211 0 974 0

Brajavallabpur 152 0 1056 0

Rakhashkhali 50 0 764 0

Kshetromohanpur 162 0 889 0

Total 575 0 3683 0

5.1.2 Solar Power

Reliable and quantified data on extent of solar penetration in the block is not available.

However in the surveyed locations It is mostly used for household lighting. People of higher

socio-economic groups have the capacity to buy and maintain standalone solar energy

systems.

Periodic exposure to cyclonic weather results in damage of solar panels, resulting in the user

going back to using kerosene for lighting purpose. However, the likely hood of solar demand

always being there is very high since:

Declaring all GPs and villages as electrified does not necessarily mean every HH and

institution has access to power;

Quality and service levels of power supply are major issues.

These areas are cyclone prone which tends to cause intense damage to the infrastructure.

Given their remoteness, repairs to and recovery of the grid will always take a long time;

Therefore, solar systems will always remain the main back up and act as a supplementary

source for lighting in these areas.

Table 5.2 indicates the level of solar usage in the surveyed HHs. Survey indicates that solar

penetration is around 49 percent.

Table 5.2: Solar Penetration in surveyed HHs

Villages Total surveyed HHs Total HHs in GP Solar HHs

(Predictive) Total HHs Solar (HHs)

Gobindopur 211 93 (44%) 974 428

Brajavallabpur 152 74 (49%) 1056 517

Rakhashkhali 48 43 (89%) 764 680

Kshetromohanpur 162 71 (44%) 889 391

Total 575 281 (49%) 3683 2016


71

Based on the above data it can be further extrapolated that 2016 HHs in this GP are solar

users. Given that the number of HHs in this Block is 50764 it can be further deduced that

24808 HHs are solar users in this Block.

Based on the above calculated levels of dependency on Electricity and Solar, it can be further

deduced that around 45.2 percent HHs in this block are totally dependent only on kerosene.

However, it may be noted that electrified HHs and solar powered HHs also use kerosene

simultaneously in order to supplement their daily requirements. Further due to problems in

selection of HHs in Rakhashkhali the data and findings maybe be slightly skewed or biased

towards more number of HHs being solar users. So the percentage of kerosene users may be

much higher than indicated here.

Table 5.3: HHs dependant only on Kerosene (%)

Villages

As per Survey

HH (%)

Total HHs in

Village

Only dependant

on Kerosene

HHs

(predictive)

Electricity Solar

(HHs)

K-Oil

Gobindopur 0 44 56 974 545

Brajavallabpur 0 49 51 1056 539

Rakhashkhali 0 89 11 764 84

Kshetromohanpur 0 44 56 889 497

5.2 Household Level energy Consumption

Households in these islands are major users of fossil fuels for lighting. Kerosene lanterns and

lamps are instrumental in providing light for rooms, studies and cooking.

5.2.1 Demography of HHs Surveyed

During the HH survey, a total of 575 HHs were covered. Table 5.4 gives the village wise

socio-economic levels of the HHs surveyed.

Table 5.4: Demography of Surveyed HHs

Villages

Total HHs Total

Population

of HHs

Family Size Avg no. of

Students/HH

Average Income

level of

HHs/month

Gobindopur 211 1208 6 1-2 4372

Brajavallabpur 152 819 5 1-2 5480

Rakhashkhali 48 265 6 1-2 2352

Kshetromohanpur 162 903 6 1 4364

Total 575 3195 6 1-2 4142


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Income levels are found to be highest in Brajovallabhpur followed closely by Gobindopur and

Kshetromohanpur. HHs surveyed in Rakhashkhali have an average income substantially less

than the other villages.

5.2.2 Energy Sources at HH Level

Kerosene and Solar are the two sources of energy available at the HH level for lighting. Please refer to

Table 3.5 for detailed tabulation of village wise surveyed HHs consumption of various energy

sources.

Rakhashkhali is a remote village in this GP and island block. The consumption of kerosene/ HH

is highest in Rakhashkhali. The other villages have similar range of consumption levels. But

0

50

100

150

200

250

Gobindopur Brajavallabpur Rakhaskhali Kshetromohanpur

Total HHs

Solar HHs

K-Oil HHs

Table 5.5: Energy sources at HH level of Surveyed HHs

Villages Total

HHs

HHs

using

solar

Kerosene Consumption ( in lts)

HHs

using

K.Oil

Qty got

from PDS

Qty got

from

Market

Total Qty

used

Average

consumption

/ HH

Gobindopur 211 93 211 625.3 358.75 984.05 4.7

Brajavallabpur 152 74 152 418.75 269 687.75 4.5

Rakhashkhali 48 43 48 135 110.7 245.70 5.11

Kshetromohanpur 162 71 162 493.25 257.5 750.75 4.63


73

what is to be noted is that in Rakhashkhali kerosene consumption is the highest while their

earning levels are substantially low at the same time the they also indicate highest level of

dependency on solar.

Based on the findings given in Table 5.3 where it has been estimated that around 1665 HHs in

this GP are dependent on Kerosene, it can be further deduced that the yearly consumption of

Kerosene at the HH level is at least 92,608 litres in this GP.

3.2.3 Consumption of Various energy sources at HH level for agriculture inputs

Commonly used agricultural implements that require a fuel source are Villius, Power tillers,

husking machines. While the villius machines run on kerosene the husking machines, shallow

pumps and power tillers run on diesel.

211

152

48

162

626

419

135

493

359

269

111

258

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

No of HHs

Kerosene from PDS (Ltrs)

Kerosene from Market (Ltrs)

Table 5.6: Estimated quantum of consumption of Kerosene (in Ltrs)

Block Avg

consumption

(HH/ yr)

Estimated no of HHs

dependant only on K -

Oil

Total Estimated Level of

consumption in HHs dependant

only on K-Oil /year Gobindopur 56.4 545 30738

Brajavallabpur 54 539 29106

Rakhashkhali 61.32 84 5151

Kshetromohanpur 55.56 497 27613

Total 1665 92608


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5.3 Commercial Establishments

The economy on the islands is mainly based on agriculture and supplemented by income from

fishing or the collection of forest resources. Lack of access to basic amenities and remoteness

of the areas are major obstacles for setting up of any industries in this area. Commercial

activity in this area is therefore restricted to small shops, markets selling various products

and sawmills and flourmills catering to the local needs. No estimation exists of the no. of

shops or mills in these islands.

As part of this survey five markets were covered in these four villages.

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

No of Machines

Qty of K-Oil Used (x100 Ltrs)

No of Power-tillers

Qty of K-Oil Used (x 100 Ltrs)

Table 5.7: Estimated quantum of Fuel consumption for Agricultural Machinery

Villages No. of Villius /

Comet

Machines

Qty of kerosene

used/yr (ltrs)

No. of power-tillers/

husking machines /

alpha machines

Qty of diesel

used/yr (ltrs)

Gobindopur 61 3060 17 4410

Brajavallabpur 53 12780 8 1740

Rakhashkhali 7 2430 1 150

Kshetromohanpur 39 10006 8 7578

Total 160 28276 34 13878


75

5.3.1 Demography and Consumption Levels of Energy of Markets Surveyed

Survey indicates that markets in this GP have shops ranging from 22-150.

Survey findings are mostly based on responses from shopkeepers in the market area and

market committee members. Most of the markets in the island are powered through diesel

generator sets. However, one of the markets surveyed which has only 22 shops is powered by

kerosene and solar.


Name of Village/

Hamlet

Name of

Market

Energy source for shops

(No)

Consumption/yr

(ltrs)

Avg/shop/yr

(ltrs)

Total

No K.Oil Solar Diesel K.Oil Diesel K.Oil Diesel

Kshetromohanpur

Vivekananda

Bazaar

(Vikram)

65 - - 65 - 2460 - 38

Yudhistir

Jana Ghat 22 14 8 - 216 - 15 -

Brojovallabhpur Main market 150 - - 150

- 14400 - 96

Gobindopur Abad Netaji Bazar 30 - - 30

- 1800 - 60

Rakhashkhali High School

Bazar 42 - - 42

- 5400 - 129

5.3.2 Demography & Consumption of Energy in Independent Shops

20 independent shops were surveyed. 65 percent of the shops are powered through solar

means. Fossil fulels like diesel and kerosene are used to power 17.50 percent of the shops.


Name of Village/

Hamlet

Energy source for shops (no.) Consumption/yr

(lts)

Avg/shop/yr

Total No K.Oil Solar Diesel K.Oil Diesel K.Oil Diesel

Kshetromohanpur 8 1 6 2 896 2820 896 1410

Brojovallabhpur 1 - 1

Gobindopur Abad 10 3 6 1

216 2400 72 2400

Rakhashkhali 1 - - 1 - 420 - 420


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5.3.3 Energy Usage in Schools

2 schools and 1 tuition centre were surveyed are located in Kshetromohanpur Village. Survey

reveals that, one of the schools is powered through diesel gensets while the other two are

powered by kerosene oil. The tuition centre runs with the help of 127 kerosene lamps.

Consumption of kerosene is highest in this tuition centre.

Table 5.10: Demography of Surveyed Educational Institutes

Name of School Energy source for light

Consumption/yr (ltrs)

K.Oil Diesel

Kshetromohanpur Diesel - 1820

Bhagbati School Kerosene

1680 -

Tuition Centre Kerosene

6858 -

5.3.4 Energy Usage by Ferries

One ferry owner in Gobindopur was interviewed. As per the respondent, a ferry boat on an

average runs for 320 days in a year, and consumes 40 litres per day. This indicates that

around 12800 litres of diesel are used by a ferryboat in a year. However, this would depend

on the distance travelled per trip.


77

Part III - Recommendations


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79

The ongoing extension of the electric grid to the remote

islands of Sundarbans will not only adversely affect the

viability of existing renewable energy projects, but will

also accelerate the process of climate change, experts

say.

"In view of the growing threat of climate change and

contribution of the electricity sector to the overall green

house gas emission, there is need for adopting

appropriate strategies to rationalize use of coal and fossil

fuel in the electricity sector," according to a latest report

by research body CUTS International.

Source: ToI, 16 Dec 2012

Section 6: Recommendations

6.0 Introduction

Most of the inhabitants living in the four island blocks of Sundarbans viz. Basanti, Gosaba,

Kultali and Patharpratima lack access to grid power. For many of them, simply charging a cell

phone requires a trip to a recharging kiosk. Their only source of light comes through kerosene

powered lanterns or lamps. While high levels of fossil fuel consumption resulting in increased

GHG emissions impacts the fragile ecological balance of the islands, it can further cause

serious health issues from the fumes released while chances of accidents can also result in

fire induced disasters. Impact of fossil fuel on the environment or ecology is least of the

concerns to the inhabitants primarily due to their regular struggle to access basic amenities

and also due to lack of awareness. Energy access is linked to several dimensions of poverty.

As a result, access to clean, affordable and appropriate energy sources and services is seen as

one of the crucial factors in eliminating poverty, and has made energy poverty an emerging

term in several studies. The energy poor use “dirty fuels,” such as wood and cow dung, which

are low quality energy sources. Gathering these fuels is time consuming (offering low

productivity and low income), and can cause health problems and potentially contribute to

deforestation.

The study reveals that as per

government records 89 percent of

Basanti block is electrified, Kultali is

100 percent electrified, Gosaba is

considered to be four percent

electrified and Patharpratima. It is

expected that by mid 2013 Basanti

will also be declared 100 electrified.

However, it is unlikely that the

remote islands of Gosaba will be

electrified in the near future. Solar

penetration is around 25 percent on

an average in all three blocks.

6.1 Penetration Levels of Various Energy Sources

Based on the survey findings, penetration of various energy sources and preferred source of

energy for different kinds of activities in the domestic, institutional and commercial sectors

in each block can be estimated as shown in Tables 6.1 & 6.2.


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Table 6.1: Penetration Level of various Energy Sources amongst various Users (%)

Block Basanti Gosaba Kultali

Elec Solar Fossil Elec Solar Fossil Elec Solar Fossil

HH 21 24 55 3 7 90 20 16 84

Schools - - 100 - 50 50 100 - -

Hospitals 100 - - 100 - 100 - -

Markets - - 100 - - 100 - - 100

Agro-based

enterprise

- - 100 - - 100 - - 100

Ferries - - 100 - - 100 - - 100

Trawlers - - 100 - - 100 - - 100

Table 6.2: Preference for Various Energy Sources (based on Usage and Need)

Block Basanti Gosaba Kultali

1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3

HH Solar Kerosene Elec Elec Solar Kerosene Kerosene Solar -

Clusters Kerosene Solar Elec Elec Solar Kerosene Kerosene Solar -

Schools Elec Solar Kerosene Solar

Electri-

city Kerosene Elec Solar Kerosene

Hospitals Elec Diesel Solar Elec Diesel Solar Elec Diesel Solar

Markets Elec Solar Diesel Solar Elec Diesel Elec Diesel -

Agro-based

enterprise

Elec Diesel Solar Elec Diesel Solar Elec Diesel Solar

Ferries Diesel Solar - Diesel Solar - Diesel Solar -

Trawlers - - - - - - - - -

Regarding Patharpratima Block, since the survey was conducted by Mlinda in one of the most

backward and remote areas, the findings can be said to reflect the worst case scenario within

the block. However, the findings are not indicative of the status of energy consumption in the

whole block since the study was focused only in one GP.


81

However, based on the survey findings and the estimation of energy usage by different actors,

discussions with various actors in the government and local level it is recommended that

people need to be made aware of the following:

Benefits and advantages of solar;

Maintenance of solar systems and back up services;

Impact of fossil fuels on the ecosystem and its impact on their lives; and

Financial advantage of using solar based systems

Benefits of using community owned and operated systems

This would require adopting an intensive community mobilization approach. Mlinda needs to

develop a presence within the community, since there is a tendency of beneficiaries

identifying them as a solar marketing agency, which may result in conflict with Mlinda’s

mission and objectives for carrying out interventions in these areas. Therefore, active role of

Mlinda in capacity building, awareness promotion would enable developing community

systems and processes that will enable compliance. Along with community building exercises

stakeholder consultations with the various governmental bodies is also very important.

Given the disaster prone nature of the area, insurance cover to solar systems needs to be

incorporated into the revenue model.

6.2 Field Level Observations

Field level observations and survey responses indicate the following:

BPL HHs are the focus for HH level connectivity to the power grid in Kultali and Basanti.

However, APL HHs in both these areas are resorting to illegal tapping from the grid. While

APL HHs in Basanti are hopeful of getting connectivity in the immediate future HHs in

Kultali are not very optimistic. Focusing on APL HHs initially would be a good strategy to

promote solar systems.

Islands and remote areas in Gosaba would be more willing to invest in micro-grids in spite

of their keen interest in getting connected to the power grid.

HHs in Kultali maybe more willing to procure stand alone solar systems since they seem to

have more spending power.

People not aware of the various community based models of solar powered systems. Most

people only know about stand alone systems which require high initial investment for an

individual HH.

There is a lack of awareness on impact of fossil fuels on the ecology of the area.

No fixed budget for expenditure on source of fuel. It is based on need and thus people do

not have a clear idea on how much they are actually spending.

People apprehensive of solar panels being stolen and being damaged every time there is a

natural disaster.


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Electrification efforts in these areas have resulted in people letting solar systems become

defunct. People are not aware of how surplus power can be traded on irrespective of its

source.

People are still not aware of the cost of electricity through the main power grid since

most users haven’t received bills or have been paying a minimum amount till the time

reading meters are installed and billing done as per actual usage.

Even though quality/service levels of electricity are not very satisfactory people tend to

think of it as the cheapest option with least amount of problems.

Solar energy promoting entities are seen as marketing agencies. There is no development

agenda linked with the alternative energy promotion.

6.3 Solar Micro-grids

Mlinda proposes to promote solar based micro grids to power the HHs, and markets. Micro-

grids distribute electricity in a limited area from a relatively small generation point. While

alternative solutions, such as individual solar-powered lanterns, can also provide light and

charge phones, the advantage of a micro-grid is that the installation cost can be spread across

a group of HHS or users. The system can also use more efficient, larger-scale generation and

storage systems, lowering operational costs. In order to ensure the efficient usage and

operation of the micro-grids it is important to incorporate systems that will ensure smooth

functioning of the solar system. These solar mini-grids play an important role in the strategy

for eradicating energy poverty in a pollution-free way. But the processes set up for its smooth

operation determines its extent of impact.

6.4 Lessons from Existing Models in Sundarbans

Solar micro grids have been set up in some parts of Sundarbans by WBREDA. An assessment of

these systems is presented below. This assessment is based on the analysis and excerpts

presented in the document, “Exploring Trust as a Function in Common Resource

Management by Vilde Blix Huseby (June 2012).” This document attempts to identify

what ensures the efficient functioning of community shared, operated or owned

infrastructure like solar micro-grids especially in socio-economic conditions of

Sundarbans.

Between 1996 and 2011, 18 solar mini-grids were installed on the islands, supplying each

customer with 70-200 W daily. The power plants have limited capacity, and tariffs are based

on flat rates. Customers are not allowed to consume more electricity than the agreed upon

limit, but in most cases, no current meters or circuit breakers have been installed. The high

level of compliance throughout the past decade has surprised both scholars and practitioners,

who have characterized the supply systems as a “rural electrification story.”

This document carries out a comparison of the community used solar systems set up by

WBREDA vis-à-vis the one implemented and managed by WWF.


83

The solar mini-grids differ in terms of how long they have been in the villages and so does the

extent of developmental effects. However, on all islands, access to electrical power has led

to both social and economic change. Economically, the electricity has increased and

diversified income. Business has improved by improving the process of packing betel leaves

and enabling the display of merchandise to attract and serve customers in the evening.

Socially, people speak of lifestyle changes like the chance to watch TV, listen to radio and use

other electrical appliances. Illumination from electric light enables women to do their

cooking faster and more efficiently, giving them more freedom to organize their evenings,

like helping children with homework or conducting income-generating activities (Vognild

2011:83-87, Chakrabarti and Chakrabarti 2002:38-41). The light improves kitchen hygiene by

keeping away insects that can be poisonous if they get into the food, like geckos, fireflies and

cockroaches. Access to electricity has reduced discomfort connected to lack of heat and

allowed children do more homework (Vognild 2011:72, 78-99, Chakrabarti and Chakrabarti

2002:38-39). In addition, electric light from street lights and private houses function as

“security lights,” illuminating public spaces and frightening the poisonous snakes lurking at

night, increasing the mobility of residents at night (Vognild 2011:95-96).

The document finally states that levels of compliance have varied with capacity of the

technology, the type of institutional set-up, degree of and type of enforcement, customers’

knowledge and expectations of the technology, and expectations of other customers’ and

institutions’ actions. In addition, the situation found in the Sundarban Islands has been shaped

by global developments in recent decades, affecting the customers’ general hopes and

dreams for their lives. Matrix 6.1 below gives the salient features of the two interventions.


Matrix 6.1: Salient Features of Solar Micro-grids in Sundarbans

Solar Micro grids promoted by WBREDA Solar Micro grids promoted by WWF ( Bush Light Project)

Located in Western Sundarbans Located in Eastern Sundarbans

The power plant’s capacities ranges from 26-120 kW, and are operated by an

employee living at the power plant.

The villagers have been given responsibility for the day –to-day operation, and

the central actors involve operators, money collectors, linemen and

Beneficiary Committees. Each of the power plants has one or two operators (in

most cases one) who are responsible for turning on and off the power supply,

keeping records, as well as perform general maintenance. The operators are

either trained personnel brought from the outside or local individuals who have

received training on-site.

In addition to the operators, local people are employed to monitor consumer

compliance. Money collectors handle monthly fees

Beneficiary Committees (BCs) – have also been created in each village with

responsibility for collecting fees and enforcing proper use. Proper use involves,

for instance, that the right type of appliances are used and the power load is

not exceeding the amount allowed. Members of the committees are

volunteers; they do not receive any form of financial compensation. Their job

is to both control and represent, by monitoring customers’ consumption and

protecting customer interests

The model includes comprehensive planning, following some main steps: the village

is selected, and a village committee is mobilized, which aids the implementing

agencies in identifying a plot of land for the mini-grid, and ensures the donation of

the land. The villagers are then given an education on energy services and solar PV-

systems, a required level of community contribution is identified, and then the

villagers receive training on household energy planning and budgeting.

One of the most important parts of the organizational model is that it is owned by a

cooperative society. The cooperative was registered as part of the implementing

process, and all customers are shareholders in this cooperative (WWF India 2011).

Those who chose to be customers received household distribution lines free of

charge, as it was included in the projected cost of the Bush light project.

The mini-grid supplies electricity for four different sectors: households, streetlights,

the village’s school, as well as the power plant building, and the daily management is

handled by an operator and a customer committee.

The operator lives with his family, does farming in the daytime and comes to the

plant in the evening to manage a log book, logging the daily consumption from each

of the four sectors. These logs and reports provide information on how the operation

of the plant is doing over time. He notes whether some sectors have been turned off,

or if there have been any problems with the distribution lines. The operator handles

the collection of electricity fees, which customers pay by coming to the power plant.

If someone is unable to pay, the case is handled by the customer committee

The customers can choose either a 3-point (max 70 W) or a 5-point (max 120

W) connection, and to obtain an electrical service connection, they pay a

thousand or fifteen hundred rupees, respectively. Monthly fees are based on

flat rates: customers with 3-point connections pay 80 rupees while 135 rupees

is required for 5-point connections

These customers pay electricity fees which – similar to those on Sagar and Moushuni –

are based on flat tariffs. The minimum supply of electricity that is required to be

provided to a customer is 200W per day per customer, costing 150 INR a month, with

75 INR added for every 100W they choose

The supply system worked well for about a decade, and then it was apparent

that something had changed. People had gradually stopped complying: they

were not paying their electricity bills, they were stretching illegal connections

to neighbors and bypassing electricity connections, and they were using more

Urja Bandhus, which resemble electricity meters and are installed by all customers in

their homes. They are programmable energy managers, differing from normal current

meters and instead of measuring consumption; they are programmed to supply a pre-

determined amount of electricity. The device limits customers’ consumption and

provides them with an overview of how much electricity they have left to use. The


85



electricity than allowed.

In Khasmahal, the power plant operated on seven-year- old batteries,

supplying two hours of electricity every day as of February 2010. It received

new batteries in February or March 2011, but as of August 2011 only 36

customers had an electrical connection, because there were problems with the

distribution lines as well as the strain of the monsoon time.

In Natendrapur, the power plant supplied two to three hours every day by

February 2010, with 40 out of 200 customers disconnected due to reduced

capacity. The power plant was out of operation from January to July 2011,

because of problems with the battery, controller and inverter. When the

batteries and inverter was replaced, operation started again. However, the

problem with the controller remained and during the monsoon time the plant

was only supplying power for two and a half hour every day.

In Moushuni, Bagdanga, the batteries had been in operation for seven years as

of 2010, and only supplied power for two hours every day. The batteries had

been replaced and the power plant restarted operation in August 2011, after

an interruption in service for about a year. Baliara on the other hand, faced a

different situation in 2010, as the mini-grid was also operating on seven- year

old batteries, yet with five hours capacity (Ulsrud et al. in progress). Battery

banks were replaced in May 2011, and by August 2011 the estimates on daily

hours of supply spanned from two to five hours the previous two months, and

likely reflected variances in daily supply during monsoon time.

Urja Bandhu displays the remaining amount of electricity with five lights shining in

yellow or green on the boxes.

The Urja Bandhus make it possible to supply electricity from the plant around the

clock, and are programmed to be refilled with electricity every day at 4 PM.

Customers can control when they want to use the electricity during the next twenty-

four hours, before the next re-fill.

Extra safety guards to have been installed to ensure stability in electricity supply. In

addition to the energy manager, each household is connected to a junction box,

covering three to four households. In both Urja Bandhus and the junction boxes,

there is an electric switch that makes the power go off every time a customer tries

to use more than 200 W. An extra safety measure is also that the distribution lines

are armed, differing from other off-grid installation sites where the wire is often

naked.

As per August 2011, none of the customers, neither on Sagar nor Moushuni,

were paying their bills, and overuse was widespread. However, it appears that

the extent of overuse differed between the two islands. While in Sagar it is

estimated that 15 per cent of customers used more than allowed in his village,

estimates on Moushuni were generally higher at around 50 per cent, while the

Moushuni villagers Chahel and Chirayu, estimated respectively between 50-80

per cent and 90 per cent of customers to overuse electricity.

For these customers, the satisfaction appears to be strongly tied to their ownership

model. The feeling of ownership is frequently highlighted by the customers. They all

know they have the right to ask questions and they know that all the money they

collect from the fees is for themselves – as a collective.

Among the consumers, the poor state of the technical parts of the mini-grids

was frequently cited as the main problem, and the reason for why non-

However, it is not only the ownership model that is seen as important in the success

of the system. WWF also wishes to emphasize the importance of good technical




compliance had become widespread. A composite version of the story

customers would tell sounded like this: “There was a technical problem and

people were not getting the service they were paying for. Then the BC stopped

working, because they could not monitor customers when they were not

getting any service. The customers did not want to pay when they were not

getting their entitled services. They were paying the same amount as

previously, but now were receiving poorer service – which made them

compensate by overusing. They continued the overuse as there were no

punishments.”

performance. Tthe vicious cycle of non-compliance that arose at Sagar and Moushuni

was mainly due to the low quality of service from the mini-grid. They believe that

when service and supply are of good quality, 80 to 90 percent of the people will pay.

The Urja Bandhus are also important. When asked whether it is possible to cheat the

system, everyone replied negatively. Other factors have contributed to this being a

system of trust: the customers’ knowledge of all the relevant parts of the system,

the clear division of responsibility, the control they have over making decisions

because they are shareholders, and the fact that they do not have to worry about

other customers’ compliance, because they have the Urja Bandhus.

The excuse of technology being the cause of overuse and non-payment can also

be questioned by asking why the capacity of the power plants declined. First,

capacity had also previously gradually declined over time, but without non-

compliance rising. Second, it appears that the decline of capacity had

accelerated faster than the anticipated natural decline over time. The current

decline could not account for why the customers reacted to the decline with

non-compliance in the late phase, and not the early phase. This might imply

that non-compliance was not only caused by the failure of technology faults,

but that non-compliance was implicated in the technological decline.

The organizational model appears to be able to handle compliance by providing

knowledge, enabling customers to make decisions on rules and regulations, ensuring

a certain amount of flexibility and providing insurance for unexpected events.

The sharing of knowledge with the customers about both energy budgeting and

financial budgeting is probably a good investment. With such knowledge, the

customers’ perception of what they can expect from the system is more realistic.

Energy budgeting played a central role in the planning phase. It has helped customers

to tailor their daily needs to the supply, and plan their use of electricity.

WWF’s training has also helped them in understanding decisions based on purely

financial considerations.

“We cannot stop overconsumption, but we can control more.” In many cases,

several co-existing control mechanisms are called for, like “better checking

systems, permission to cut lines, higher fines and implementing a national law.

Lack of control cannot account for the change in the situation. Customers

complied for a decade, but the type of control mechanisms have remained the

same. Technical devices to control consumption are lacking, but compliance

had earlier been ensured by people employed or volunteering to ensure

compliance – such as the BC-members, the line man and money collector,

whose jobs had been to deal with matters of non-payment and non-

consumption.

Unforeseen events are accounted for through the provision of an insurance

component. The insurance is calculated as part of the project cost, and includes

insurance for cyclones, destruction of batteries and solar PV plants, etc. The

Cooperative holds an annual maintenance contract with Tata BP, which makes

approximately 10-12 visits per year. The cost of insurance is secured until the sixth

year following installation

Customers are now frequently blaming non-compliance on either the money

collector or the BC-members for not doing their jobs properly Many customers

also point to the low penalty fee, calling for at least doubling of the fee.

The customers have different needs for how much electricity they want to use, which

can pose challenges, as supply is based on a flat rate system with a minimum amount

of electricity required. However, the possibility to “do whatever you want, just not


87



Apparently, the enforcement of compliance was sufficiently ensured by the

Beneficiary Committee, linemen, money collectors and the sanctioning of

penalty fees in the early phase, but this was not sufficient to ensure

compliance in the present situation. To understand the variations in

compliance, we must understand why the presence of the BC-members,

linemen and money collectors were no longer sufficient, and also why they

stopped doing their jobs.

Processes that have affected peoples’ choices can be grouped into three main

categories: technological change, changing needs and political change.

tamper with the system” allows for flexibility in terms of adapting the system to

different needs. One example is internal energy trading where, for instance,

households that feel they need less than 200W daily can sell the remaining energy to

shops. The village’s doctor is an example of a customer who has used this option. He

has an electricity connection in order to be able to offer his services to villagers at

night. However, the doctor only needs three hours of electricity during the day, and

therefore he sells the remaining electricity to others. Many households and shops

offer this kind of service to those who come to the Sunday markets to sell various

goods; e.g. household selling of electricity to put up temporary tea stalls. In this

way, some households can earn even more money than they pay for the electricity

connection. People can also earn money on their electricity connection by selling

electricity services to others, like charging mobile phones for others at the price of

three rupees. Those who have access to electricity also have the advantage of selling

the subsidized kerosene that all resident are eligible for, to others.


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Based on the survey findings and discussions with various actors in the government and local

level and with reference to the above assessment it is recommended that people need to be

made aware of the following:

Benefits and advantages of solar;

Maintenance of solar systems and back up services;

Impact of fossil fuels on the ecosystem and its impact on their lives;

Financial advantage of using solar based systems;

Benefits of using community owned and operated systems.

This would require adopting an intensive community mobilization approach. Mlinda needs to

develop a presence within the community, since there is a tendency of beneficiaries

identifying them as a solar marketing agency, which may result in conflict with Mlinda’s

mission and objectives for carrying out interventions in these areas. Therefore, active role of

Mlinda in capacity building, awareness promotion would enable developing community

systems and processes that will enable compliance. Also, other important aspects which need

to be looked into for making the proposed model viable and feasible are:

Given the disaster prone nature of the area, insurance of solar systems needs to be

incorporated into the revenue model.

Gosaba should be selected as the focus area first, followed by Patharpratima, Kultali and

Basanti. Since the electrified areas would treat solar as a supplementary source they

would be more willing to take solar connection only when they realize that the service

quality levels of grid based power is not optimum.

Kultali needs to be addressed in a strategic and considered manner since the socio-

political conditions are very sensitive. There could also be pressure exerted by parties

with vested interests for promoting solar systems in order to gain political mileage prior to

the panchayat elections. While this may serve the purpose of increasing solar penetration

it will not necessarily result in being utilized in the proposed manner.


89


Appendices

Appendix A: Socio-economic Profile of HHs Surveyed

Blo

ck GP

Name of

Village /

Hamlet

Total

no.

of

HHs

Total

Pop Religion

Social

Cat

Family

Size

No. of

Students

BPL

HHs


income

(`)

Income category of HH (`)

WL Cultivator Business Others <

3000

3001-

5000

5001 –

8000

>

8000

Basa

nti

Bharatgarh Goranbose

25 166 M G 7 62 21 14 4 2 5 5880 - 10 10 5

Basanti Makalpara 25 128

H -9

C- 13

M-3

G – 15

OBC –

9

SC - 1

13 32 14 11 - 7 7 7840 - 13 6 6

Bharatgarh 8 no.

Goranbose

10 84 M G 8 16 10 5 - 4 1 5150 1 5 4 -

Jyotishpur Kumirmari 26 134

M-5

H -12

C-8

G -10

SC - 4

ST - 8

OBC-3

5 41 18 7 9 3 6 3423 - 22 4 -

Jyotishpur Ballar Top 10 61 H SC 6 13 10 7 3 - - 4500 4 4 1 1

U.

Makamberi

a

Kumirmari 10 49 H SC - 6

G - 4 5 11 10 6 2 1 1 2700 8 1 1 -

Masjidbati Gwalpara -

Godkhali 10 46 H SC 5 11 10 8 - - 2 1720 9 1 - -

Jharkhali Tridibnagar 26 130 H

SC -

23

G -3

8 41 19 7 15 - 4 3596 - 11 10 5

Total

142 798 8 227 112 65 33 17 26 3868 22 67 36 17

Gosa

ba

Rangabelia Uttarpara 26 112 H-26

G -18

OBC-4

SC -4

4 6 12 1 15 1 9 1927 14 11 - -

Gosaba 4 no.

Arampur 24 107

C-23

H-1

G-23

OBC-1 4 28 12 14 2 3 5 4442 17 4 - 2

Bally1 Satyanaray

anpur 10 45 H SC 4 6 10 - 8 1 1 3700 - 10 - -

Bally 2 Uttarpara 25 105 H-24 G-10 4 25 21 4 19 2 - 2840 14 11 - -


91


Blo

ck GP

Name of

Village /

Hamlet

Total

no.

of

HHs

Total

Pop Religion

Social

Cat

Family

Size

No. of

Students

BPL

HHs


income

(`)



3000

3001-

5000

5001 –

8000

>

8000

M-1 OBC-2

SC-13

Baly 2 Ghoshpara 10 38 H OBC 4 8 10 2 5 2 1 4300 3 5 1 1

Bally 2 Uttarpara 10 39 H OBC 4 5 10 6 3 - 1 3650 3 7 - -

Satjelia Emlibari 24 110 H

SC-19

G-4

OBC-1

5 6 14 1 20 3 2375 24 - - -

Satjelia Emlibari 10 43 H SC 4 16 10 - 10 - - 4000 2 8 - -

Satjelia 8 no.

Parashmani 10 51

M-6

H-4

G-6

SC-4 5 - 10 - 4 - F-6 3900 - 10 - -

Satjelia Luxbagan 10 40 H SC 4 9 10 - 10 - - 5050 7 2 - 1

Total

159 690 4 109 119 28 96 9 26 3618.4 84 68 1 4

Kult

ali

Debipur Bankibabur

Bheri 25 100 H

G -14

OBC -

7

SC-4

4 35 19 - 21 - F-3 1924 25 - - -

Debipur Bankibabur

Bheri 7 33 H SC 5 10 5 5 - - 2 2714 6 1 - -

Maipith

Uttar

Baikunthap

ur

23 114 H

OBC-5

G-6

SC-12

5 22 12 4 8 - 9 3326 16 5 1 1

Maipith

4 no.

Khalpara

Baikunthap

ur

10 51 H SC 5 7 6 3 - 1 Mig-2

F-4 3050 7 2 1 -

Maipith Madhya-

gurguria 8 50 H SC 5 7 3 4 - -

F-2

3250 7 - - 1

Gopalgunj

Shankijaha

n Colony 22 125 H

SC-21

OBC-1 6 11 10 - 5 2

F-15

3159 18 - 7 -

Gopalgunj Sardarpara 8 33 H SC 4 6 0 6 - - F-1 2563 8 - - -



Blo

ck GP

Name of

Village /

Hamlet

Total

no.

of

HHs

Total

Pop Religion

Social

Cat

Family

Size

No. of

Students

BPL

HHs


income

(`)



3000

3001-

5000

5001 –

8000

>

8000

Jalaberia Naskarpara 26 136 H SC-26 5 37 9 24 - 1 1 1946 24 - 1 -

Debipur Kantamari -

Naiyyapara 10 52 H SC 5 18 10 9 - 1 - 5050 2 5 3 -

Debipur Kantamari 7 50 H SC 7 18 7 5 - 1 1 5643 1 3 2 1

Total

146 744 5 171 81 60 34 6 43 3262.5 114 16 15 3

Overall Total 447 2232 5 507 312 153 165 33 95 220 151 52 24

Codes:

Pop Population Cat Category

Avg Average

H Hindu

C Christian

M Muslim

G General

WL Wage Labourer

F Fishing

Mig Migratory


93

Appendix B: Extent of Dependence on Kerosene at HH Level

Blo

ck

GP Name of

Habitation/GP

Total no.

of HHs

Total

population

No. of HHs

using

Kerosene

No. of

Points

Average

hrs/ day

Total Amount (Annual)

Qty of

kerosene

used (ltrs)

Qty

from PDS

Qty from

Market

Amount

spent on

PDS (`)

Amount

spent on

Market (`)

Total

amount

spent (`)

Basa

nti

Bharatgarh Goranbose 25 166 16 32 3 1004 926.4 78 15742 3276 19018

Basanti Makalpara 25 128 24 64 5 1404 972 432 16524 18142 34666

Bharatgarh

8 no.

Goranbose

10 84 6 6 4 72 40 32 680 1344 2024

Jyotishpur Kumirmari 26 134 21 34 5 1512 756 756 12852 31752 44604

Jyotishpur ballartop 10 61 10 22 4.5 720 480 240 8160 10080 18240

U. Makamberia Kumirmari 10 49 9 12 4 348 222 174 3774 7308 11082


Godkhali 10 46 10 24 4 936 420 516 7140 21672 21812

Jharkhali Tridibnagar 26 130 24 82 4.5 1638 699 939 11883 39438 51321

Total

142 798 120 276 4.15 7634 4515.4 3167 76755 133012 202767

Gosa

ba

Rangabelia Uttarpara 26 112 7 21 3 360 252 108 4284 4536 8820

Gosaba 4 no. Arampur 24 107 17 32 4 1098 324 774 5508 32508 38016

Bally1 S.Narayanpur 10 45 10 21 4.15 792 288 504 4896 21168 26064

Bally 2 Uttarpara 25 105 25 57 4 1486 600 886 10200 37195 47395

Baly 2 Ghoshpara 10 38 10 24 6 1116 470 646 7990 27132 35112

Bally 2 Uttarpara 10 39 10 30 6 1080 588 492 9996 20664 30660

Satjelia Emlibari 24 110 24 43 3 828 480 348 8160 14616 22776


Satjelia 8 no.

Parashmani 10 51 10 30 6 900 372 528 6324 22176 28500

Satjelia Luxbagan 10 40 10 21 4.5 655 295 360 5015 15120 20135

Total

159 690 133 309 4.45 9215 4047 5168 68799 217039 285828


Appendix B: Extent of Dependence on Kerosene at HH Level

Blo

ck

GP Name of

Habitation/GP

Total no.

of HHs

Total

population

No. of HHs

using

Kerosene

No. of

Points

Average

hrs/ day

Total Amount (Annual)

Qty of

kerosene

used (ltrs)

Qty

from PDS

Qty from

Market

Amount

spent on

PDS (`)

Amount

spent on

Market (`)

Total

amount

spent (`)

Kult

ali

Debipur Bankibabur

Bheri 25 100 25 60 3.5 1512 906 606 15402 25542 40854

Debipur Bankibabur

Bheri 7 33 7 20 4 720 252 468 4284 19656 23940

Maipith Uttar

Baikunthapur 23 114 23 43 4 1008 891 117 15147 4914 20061

Maipith 4 no. Khalpara

Baikunthapur 10 51 10 24 3.5 756 307.2 448.8 5222.4 18849 24071.4

Maipith Madhya-

gurguria 8 50 8 20 4 576 324 252 5508 10584 16092

Gopalgunj Shankijahan

Colony 22 125 22 54 4 1212 1008 204 17136 8568 25704

Gopalgunj Sardarpara 8 33 8 16 4 576 277.2 298.8 4712 12549 17261

Jalaberia Naskarpara 26 136 26 72 4 1422 1080 342 17136 14364 31500

Debipur Kantamari -

Naiyyapara 10 52 10 30 2 540 360 180 6120 7560 13680

Debipur Kantamari 7 50 7 21 4 756 339.6 416.4 5773 17489 23262

Total 146 744 146 360 3.45 9078 5745 3333 96440 140075 236425


95

Appendix C: Preference of Energy Source at HH Level

Blo

ck

Name of GP Name of

Village

Total

No. of

HHs

Ranking as per Use and Perception Findings

1 2 3 4

Basa

nti

Bharatgarh Goranbose

25 Solar Kerosene Electricity Diesel

62.5% - prefer solar

50% - think electricity is a

secondary option

50% think Kerosene is expensive

100% - diesel is not feasible

Basanti Makalpara 25 Kerosene Electricity Solar Diesel

Bharatgarh 8 no.

Goranbose 10 Solar Electricity Kerosene Diesel

Jyotishpur Kumirmari 26 Electricity Solar Kerosene Diesel

Jyotishpur Ballartop 10 Solar Electricity Kerosene Diesel

U.

Makamberia Kumirmari 10 Solar Electricity Kerosene Diesel


Godkhali 10 Kerosene Solar Electricity Diesel

Jharkhali Tridibnagar 26 Solar Kerosene Electricity Diesel

Gosa

ba

Rangabelia Uttarpara 26 Electricity Solar Kerosene Diesel

50% - prefer electricity as best

source

50% - solar is good secondary

source


100% - diesel not safe

Gosaba 4 no.

Arampur 24 Electricity Kerosene Solar Diesel

Bally1 Satyanarayan

pur 10 Solar Kerosene Electricity Diesel

Bally 2 Uttarpara 25 Solar Electricity Kerosene Diesel

Baly 2 Ghoshpara 10 Solar Kerosene Electricity Diesel

Bally 2 Uttarpara 10 Electricity Solar Kerosene Diesel

Satjelia Emlibari 24 Solar Kerosene Electricity Diesel

Satjelia Emlibari 10 Electricity Solar Kerosene Diesel

Satjelia 8 no.

Parashmani 10 Electricity Solar Kerosene Diesel

Satjelia Luxbagan 10 Kerosene Solar Electricity Diesel


K

ult

ali

Debipur Bankibabur

Bheri 25 Kerosene Solar Electricity Diesel

100% - feel kerosene is easily

available therefore the best

source

100% solar is a good secondary

option

100% disappointed by the level

of access and service levels of

electricity

Debipur Bankibabur

Bheri 7 Kerosene Solar Electricity Diesel

Maipith Uttar

Baikunthapur 23 Kerosene Solar Electricity Diesel

Maipith

4 no.

Khalpara

Baikunthapur

10 Kerosene Solar Electricity Diesel

Maipith Madhya-

gurguria 8 Kerosene Solar Electricity Diesel

Gopalgunj Shankijahan

Colony 22 Kerosene Solar Electricity Diesel

Gopalgunj Sardarpara 8 Kerosene Solar Electricity Diesel

Jalaberia Naskarpara 26 Kerosene Solar Electricity Diesel

Kantamari Naiyyapara 10 Kerosene Solar Electricity Diesel

Kantamari Kantamari 7 Kerosene Solar Electricity Diesel


97

Appendix D: Socio-economic Profile of Clusters Surveyed

Blo

ck GP

Nam

e o

f H

abit

ati

on

/ G

P

Tota

l no.

of

HH

s

Tota

l

popula

tion

Religio

n

Socia

l

Cate

gory

Fam

ily

Siz

e

No.

of

students

BPL HHs

Primary Occupation

Avera

ge

HH

incom

e Income category of HH (`)

WL C B O < 3000

3001- 5000

5001 – 8000

> 80001

Basa

nti

Bharatgar

8 No.

Goranbose

10 84 M G 8 16 10 5 - 4 1 5150 1 5 4 -

Jyotishpur Ballartop 10 61 H SC 6 13 10 7 3 - - 4500 4 4 1 1

U.

Makamberia Kumirmari 10 49 H

SC - 6

G - 4 5 11 10 6 2 1 1 2700 8 1 1 -


Godkhali 10 46 H SC 5 11 10 8 - - 2 1720 9 1 - -

Total

40 240 6 51 40 26 5 5 4 3518 22 11 6 1

Gosa

ba

Bally1 Satyanarayan

pur 10 45 H SC 4 6 10 - 10 1 1 3700 - 10 - -

Baly 2 Ghoshpara 10 38 H OBC 4 8 10 2 5 2 1 4300 3 5 1 1

Bally 2 Uttarpara 10 39 H OBC 4 5 10 6 3 - 1 3650 3 7 - -

Satjelia Emlibari 10 43 H SC 4 16 10 - 10 - - 4000 2 8 - -

Satjelia 8 no.

Parashmani 10 51

M-6

H-4

G-6

SC-4 5 - 10 - 4 - F- 6 3900 - 10 - -

Satjelia Luxbagan 10 40 H SC 4 9 10 - 10 - - 5050 7 2 - 1

Total

60 256 4 39 60 8 42 3 9 4100 15 42 1 2

Kult

ali

Debipur Bankibabur

Bheri 7 33 H SC 5 10 5 5 - - 2 2714 6 1 - -

Maipith

4 No.

Khalpara

Baikunthapur

10 51 H SC 5 7 6 3 - 1

Mig-

2

F-4

3050 7 2 1 -

Maipith Madhya-

gurguria 8 50 H SC 5 7 3 4 - -

F-2

O-2 3250 7 - - 1


Appendix D: Socio-economic Profile of Clusters Surveyed

Blo

ck GP

Nam

e o

f H

abit

ati

on

/ G

P

Tota

l no.

of

HH

s

Tota

l

popula

tion

Religio

n

Socia

l

Cate

gory

Fam

ily

Siz

e

No.

of

students

BPL HHs

Primary Occupation

Avera

ge

HH

incom

e Income category of HH (`)

WL C B O < 3000

3001- 5000

5001 – 8000

> 80001

Gopalgunj Sardarpara 8 33 H SC 4 6 0 6 - - F -1 2563 8 - - -

Kantamari Naiyyapara 10 52 H SC 5 18 10 9 - 1 - 5050 2 5 3 -

Kantamari Kantamari 7 50 H SC 7 18 7 5 - 1 1 5643 1 3 2 1

Total

50 269 5 66 31 32 - 3 14 3712 31 11 6 2

Codes:

WL Wage Labourer

C Cultivator

B Business

O Others

F Fisherman

Mig Migratory

H Hindu

M Muslim

SC Scheduled Caste

OBC Other Backward Caste

G General


99

Appendix E: Extent of Dependence on Kerosene at Cluster Level

Blo

ck

GP

Nam

e o

f

Habit

ati

on/

GP

Tota

l no.

of

HH

s

No.

of

HH

s

usi

ng K

ero

sene

Avera

ge

Incom

e/

HH

No.

of

poin

ts

Avera

ge

hrs

/ day

Total Amount (yearly)

(`)

Qty

of

kero

sene

use

d

Qty

fr

om

PD

S

Qty

fr

om

Mark

et

Am

ount

spent

on

PD

S (

`)

Am

ount

spent

on

Mark

et

(`)

Tota

l am

ount

spent

(`)

Basa

nti

Bharatgarh

8 no. Goranbose 10 6 5150 6 4 72 40 32 680 1344 2024

Jyotishpur Ballartop 10 10 4500 22 4.5 720 480 240 8160 10080 18240

U.

Makamberia Kumirmari 10 9 2700 12 4 348 222 174 3774 7308 11082


Godkhali 10 10 1720 24 4 936 420 516 7140 21672 28812

Total

35 2892.5 64 4 2076 1162 962 19754 40404 60158

Gosa

ba

Bally1 Satyanarayanpur 10 10 3700 21 4.15 792 288 504 4896 21168 26064

Baly 2 Ghoshpara 10 10 4300 24 6 1116 470 646 7990 27132 35112

Bally 2 Uttarpara 10 10 3650 30 6 1080 588 492 9996 20664 30660


Satjelia 8 no. Parashmani 10 10 3900 30 6 900 372 528 6324 22176 28500

Satjelia Luxbagan 10 10 5050 21 4.5 655 295 360 5015 15120 20135

Total 60 60 4100 176 5.15 5443 2391 3052 40647 15120 168821

Kult

ali

Debipur Bankibabur Bheri 7 7 2714 20 4 720 252 468 4284 19656 23940


Baikunthapur 10 10 3050 24 3.5 756 307.2 448.8 5222.4 18849 24071.4

Maipith Madhya-gurguria 8 8 3250 20 4 576 324 252 5508 10584 16092

Gopalgunj Sardarpara 8 8 2563 16 4 576 277.2 298.8 4712 12549 17261

Debipur Kantamari -

Naiyyapara 10 10 5050 30 2 540 360 180 6120 7560 13680

Debipur Kantamari 7 7 5643 21 4 756 339.6 416.4 5773 17489 23262

Total 50 50 3712 131 3.45 3924 1860 2064 3169 86687 118306


Appendix F: Perception Levels about Various Energy Sources (in Clusters) Block

Name of GP Name of

Village/Hamlet

Total

no. of

HHS

Ranking as per Use and Perception Findings

1 2 3 4

Bas

anti

Bharatgarh

8 No.Goranbose 10 Solar Electricity Kerosene Diesel 80% prefer solar

80% think electricity is a secondary option


100% feel diesel is not feasible

Jyotishpur Ballar Top 10 Solar Electricity Kerosene Diesel

U-

Makamberia Kumirmari 10 Solar Electricity Kerosene Diesel


Godkhali 10 Kerosene Solar Electricity Diesel

Go

sab

a

Bally1 Satyanarayanpur 10 Solar Kerosene Electricity Diesel 50% prefer electricity

66% think solar is a secondary option


50% think electricity is a tertiary option


Baly 2 Ghoshpara 10 Solar Kerosene Electricity Diesel

Bally 2 Uttarpara 10 Electricity Solar Kerosene Diesel

Satjelia Emlibari 10 Electricity Solar Kerosene Diesel

Satjelia 8 No.

Parashmani 10

Electricity Solar Kerosene Diesel

Satjelia Luxbagan 10 Kerosene Solar Electricity Diesel

Ku

ltal

i

Debipur Bankibabur

Bheri 7 Kerosene Solar Electricity Diesel 100% prefer kerosene since

its easily available even if expensive

100% think solar is a secondary option

100%% think electricity is a tertiary option



Baikunthapur 10

Kerosene Solar Electricity Diesel

Maipith Madhya-gurguria 8 Kerosene Solar Electricity Diesel

Gopalgunj Sardarpara 8 Kerosene Solar Electricity Diesel

Debipur Kantamari-

Naiyyapara 10 Kerosene Solar Electricity Diesel

Debipur Kantamari 7 Kerosene Solar Electricity Diesel


101

Appendix G: Perceptions in Schools

Block Name of

GP

Name of School Perception towards various Energy Sources

Electricity Solar Kerosene Diesel

Basa

nti

Masjid

Bati

Masjidbati High

School

Best option.

Cheapest and

most preferred

Don’t know Expensive but

easily available

Not feasible

Basanti Maheshpur

Prafulla Balika

Vidya Mandir

Getting

connectivity is a

problem and one

is not sure of

service levels

Best option while it

functions but

information on back

up services and

maintenance is a

problem

Easily available but

expensive

Not feasible

Matgara Matgara Abdul

Kader Siddiqui

Madrasa

Getting

connectivity is a

problem and one

is not sure of

service levels

Don’t Know Easily available but

expensive

Not feasible

Gosa

ba

Bally 2 Bijoynagar Adarsh

Vidyamandir

Getting

connectivity is a

problem

Low on maintenance

but initial investment

is high


expensive

Not feasible

Bally1 Satyanarayanpur

Sashi Bushan High

School

Getting

connectivity is a

problem

Low on maintenance

but initial investment

is high


expensive

Not feasible


Appendix H: Diesel Consumption in Markets Surveyed

Blo

ck

Name of

GP and

Hamlet

Name of

Market

Total

No. of

Points

Hrs/day

Total

contributi

on for

light/year

Diesel details

Earnings of Gen-set

Operator

(`)

Qty /year Expense on fuel/

yr (` 57/lt)

Expense on

maintenance

/ yr (`)

Basa

nti

Jharkhali/

Tridibnagar Bally Bazaar

195 3 421200 2400 136800 18000 266400

Bharatgarh Bharatgarh 550 4 1188000 7200 410400 192000 585600

Sonakhali Sonakhali 900 1.5 1944000 3240 184680 360000 1399320

Basanti Main market

Total 3553200 12840 731880 570000 2251320

Average 1184400 4280 243960 190000 750440

Gosa

ba

Satjelia/

Luxbagan Luxbagan 81

4 155520 720 41040 Very high 114480

Bally 2 Bally Bazaar 180 4 345600 1440 82080 72000 191520

Bally 1/

Amla methi Raja Bazaar 60

3 115200 1080 61560 54000 555360

Satjelia Satjelia

Bazar 170

3 306000 2100 119700 24000 162300

Total 922320 5340 304380 150000 1023660

Average 230580 1335 76095 37500 255915


103

Kult

ali

Debipur/

Gostotala

More

Gostotala

Market 53

3 95400 1080 61560 18000 15840

Gopalgunj Manmatha

adhikari Hat 140

4 252000 1800 102600 6000 143400

Kantamari

/

Madhupur

Madhupur

Kantamari

Markt

90 4 194400 1440 82080 6000 106320

Deulbari/

Jitan

Mandal

bazar

Jiten

Mandal

Bazar

45 4 113400 1200 68400 4800 40200

Total 655200 5520 314640 34800 305760

Average 163800 1380 78660 8700 76440


Appendix I : Diesel Consumption in the Commercial Sector Blo

ck

Nam

e o

f G

P

Nam

e o

f V

illa

ge/

Ham

let

Kin

d o

f busi

ness

Hrs

re

quir

ed

/ day

Qty

/mon

th

Expense

/ m

onth

(`)

Expense

main

t/

Month

(`

)

Qty

of

fuel

/

year

Expense

/y

ear

on

fuel (`

)

Expense

on

main

t/yr

(`)

Basan

ti

Basanti Kalidanga Sawmill 3 120 6840 2000 1440 82080 24000

Basanti Ballartop Flourmill 6 180 10260 1000 2160 123120 12000


pump 8 240 13680 300 720 41040 900

U

Makamber

iya

U-

Makamberiya

Shallow

pump 6 270 15390 500 810

46170

1500

Total 5.45 810 46170 3800 5130 292410 38400

Gosa

ba

Bally1 Satyanarayan

pur Sawmill

7 150 8550 200 1800

102600 2400

Bally1 Flourmill 3 120 6840 250 1440 82080 3000

Bally2 Sawmill 6 270 15390 500 3240 184680 6000

Total 5.20 540 30780 950 6480 369360 11400

Kult

ali

Moipith-

Baikuntha

pur

Baikunthapur Sawmill

3

20 1140 300 240 13680

3600

Jhalaberia Phultali Shallow

Pump

20

300 17100 500 900 51300

1500

Total 11.30 320 18240 800 1140 64980 5100


105

Appendix J: Perceptions of Various Energy Sources in Commercial Sector

Block Name of GP Name of

Village/ Hamlet

Nature of

Business

Ranking based on Need and Use Findings

1 2 3 4

Basa

nti

Basanti Kalidanga Sawmill Electricity Diesel Solar Kerosene

100% - Electricity though

not available will be the

cheapest and desired

option.

100% - Diesel is

secondary option since

its available but very

expensive

100% - Solar would be a

cheap option however,

they do not have

information on how solar

can run their machines

Basanti Ballartop Flourmill Electricity Diesel Solar Kerosene


pump Electricity Diesel

Solar Kerosene

Uttar

Makamberiya

Uttar

Makamberiya

Shallow


Solar Kerosene

Gosa

ba

Bally1 Satyanarayanpur Sawmill Electricity Diesel Solar Kerosene

Bally1 Flourmill Electricity Diesel Solar Kerosene

Bally2 Sawmill Electricity Diesel Solar Kerosene

Kult

ali

Moipith-

Baikunthapur Baikunthapur Sawmill Electricity Diesel

Solar Kerosene

Jhalaberia Phultali Sahllow


Solar Kerosene



107

Annexures

Annexure 1: Flood and Cyclone Hazard Map – South 24 Parganas District (WB)


Annexure 2: Field Visit Schedule

Date Place Activity

4th Jan 2013

Travel to Basanti - JGVK.

Discussion with Mr. Debabnanda Das (CSO) and orientation of field team

Meeting with BDO - Mr. Sumya Chattopadyay

Meeting with Electrification officer Mr. Deepto Majumdar and Sabhadipati Mr.Shaukat Biswas

Jyotishpur GP Administering of HH interviews

5th Jan 2013

Travel to Tridibnagar - Jharkhali GP

Market Area survey, HH survey

Jyotishpur – rest of survey

6th Jan 2013

Ballartop- Basanti Cluster Identification

Masjid Bati School & Cluster identification

Godkhali Ghat Jetty

Gosaba Meeting with local people, field planning & Orientation

Rangabeliya 25 HHs

7th Jan 2013

Satjelia 25 HHs and Cluster Identified

Luxbagan 2 clusters identified

Rangabeliya Completion of HH survey

Meeting with BDO - Mr. Suman Chakraborty

BPHC interview

8th Jan 2013

Basanti BPHC

Kultali BPHC

Kultali Meeting with BDO – Mr Parthiwan Mitra

Kultali Field planning and Orientation

8th Jan – 21st Feb

Completion of data collection in three Blocks


109

Annexure 3: Survey Questionnaires

I. Energy Consumption at Household Level – off grid HH / in grid HH

Name of Block Name of GP &

Village

Name of Hamlet or

location if any

Date Name of Surveyors

1. Name of respondent:

2. Demographic details

Sl. No.

Name

Relationship to Head of HH

Age (month/ years)

Sex

M/F

Education Occupation Avg Monthly Income Primary Secondary

1. HOH

2

3

4

5.

6.

7.

8

9

10. Income from Remittance if any

Total Income

3. General details of HH

Religion 1. Hindu 2. Muslim 3. Christian 4.Others ________

Social group 1. Gen 2.BC 3. SC 4. ST

Family type 1. Joint family 2. Nuclear family 3. Individual

How many members are included in the voters list

Does your family hold a ration card 1. Yes 2. No 3. BPL / APL

Ownership of House 1. Own 2. Rented 3. Others ( pls specify)________________

Type of House 1. Pucca (RCC) 2. Semi Pucca (tile/sheet roof) 3. Kutcha (thatched)

Fuel used for cooking 1. LPG 2. Kerosene 3. Bio gas 4. Firewood 5. Others (specify) _______________

Drinking water source 1. Personal Tube well 2. Public tube well

3. Others (specify)__________

Sanitation facilities 1. Yes 2. No


4. Asset holding

Structures Yes/ No

1 Cattle shed

2 Land

3 Shop

Household Assets ( State No.)

1 Fan 2 Solar panel 3 TV

4 Cooking Gas 5 Mobiles 6 Motor bikes

7 Agricultural equip 8 Van Rickshaw 9 Refrigerator

10 Pumpset 11 Others (specify)

Livestock ( State No.)

1 Cows 2 Goats 3 Milch cows

4 Buffalo 5 Poultry 6 Sheep

5. HH Expenditure Pattern ( per month)

1. Food

2 Clothing

3 Education

4 Rent

5 Health

6 Social/religious functions

7 Communication

8 Conveyance

9 Repayment of loans

10 Investment in business / agriculture / plantations / livestock

11 Lighting

6. State of indebtedness: 1. Yes 2. No

If yes then please give details:

Sources4 Purpose Amount Amt. Repaid Balance

4 Bank, money lenders, finance companies, co-operatives, Friends/relatives, others


111

7. Coverage under Government Development schemes

i. Have you/your family members’ availed benefit from any govt. scheme? a. Yes b. No

ii. If yes,

Name of Scheme Type of benefit When received details

8. Household Lighting

Type of Fuel Qty/no

used

/day

Purpose * Hrs/

day

Qty.

of

fuel /

day

Amt. spent on

fuel/ month

Qty got

from

PDS/month

Qty bought

from open

market

Avg. amt.

spent on

maintenance/

month

Kerosene

lamps

Kerosene

Lanterns

Diesel genset

Solar lights

Solar lamps

* Room lighting, studying/reading, cooking,

i. Price of Kerosene in PDS: ii. Price of Kerosene in open market:

9. If there is Solar please note down the following details

a. Capacity of panels used

i. 37 ii. 75 iii. 37 + 75 iv. 37+37 v. 75+75

vi. Other, then provide details ______________________________

b. Used since: __________________________________

c. Initial cost of setting up of solar system: Rs. _______________________________________

d. Cost of Annual Maintenance: Rs. ___________________________________________

e. Is the supply adequate: i. Yes ii. No

If, no then what is the additional requirement? _______________________ _____________


II. Energy Consumption at HH within Clusters


Village

Name of Hamlet or

location if any


1. Name of respondent:

2. Demographic details

Sl.

No.

Name

Relationship

to Head of

HH

Age

(month/

years)

Sex

M/F

Education Occupation Avg Monthly

Income Primary Secondary

1. HOH

2

3

4

5.

6.

7.

8

9

10. Income from Remittance if any

Total Income

3. General details of HH

Religion 1. Hindu 2. Muslim 3. Christian 4.Others ________

Social group 1. Gen 2.BC 3. SC 4. ST

Family type 1. Joint family 2. Nuclear family 3. Individual

How many members are included in the voters list

Does your family hold a ration card 2. Yes 2. No 3. BPL / APL

Ownership of House 2. Own 2. Rented 3. Others ( pls specify)________________

Type of House 2. Pucca (RCC) 2. Semi Pucca (tile/sheet roof) 3. Kutcha (thatched)

Fuel used for cooking 2. LPG 2. Kerosene 3. Bio gas 4. Firewood 5. Others (specify) _______________

Drinking water source 2. Personal Tube well 2. Public tube well

3. Others (specify)__________

Sanitation facilities 2. Yes 2. No


113

4. Asset holding

Structures Yes/ No

1 Cattle shed

2 Land

3 Shop

Household Assets ( State No.)

1 Fan 2 Solar panel 3 TV

4 Cooking Gas 5 Mobiles 6 Motor bikes

7 Agricultural equip 8 Van Rickshaw 9 Refrigerator

10 Pumpset 11 Others (specify)

Livestock ( State No.)

1 Cows 2 Goats 3 Milch cows

4 Buffalo 5 Poultry 6 Sheep

5. HH Expenditure Pattern (per month)

1. Food

2 Clothing

3 Education

4 Rent

5 Health

6 Social/religious functions

7 Communication

8 Conveyance

9 Repayment of loans

10 Investment in business / agriculture / plantations / livestock

11 Lighting

6. State of indebtedness: 1. Yes 2. No

If yes then please give details:

Sources5 Purpose Amount Amt. Repaid Balance

5 Bank, money lenders, finance companies, co-operatives, Friends/relatives, others


7. Coverage under Government Development schemes

i. Have you/your family members’ availed benefit from any govt. scheme? a. Yes b. No

ii. If yes,

Name of Scheme Type of benefit When received details

8. Household Lighting

Type of Fuel Qty/no

used

/day

Purpose * Hrs/

day

Qty.

of

fuel /

day

Amt. spent on

fuel/ month

Qty got

from

PDS/month

Qty bought

from open

market

Avg. amt.

spent on

maintenance/

month

Kerosene

lamps

Kerosene

Lanterns

Diesel genset

Solar lights

Solar lamps

* Room lighting, studying/reading, cooking,

i. Price of Kerosene in PDS: ii. Price of Kerosene in open market:

9. If there is Solar please note down the following details


i. 37 ii. 75 iii. 37 + 75 iv. 37+37 v. 75+75


b. Used since: __________________________________




If, no then what is the additional requirement? _______________________ _____________


115

III. Energy Consumption by Schools

Name of Block Name of GP &Village Date Name of Surveyors

1. Name of School:

2. Name of Respondent

3. Age of School: 4. Level: Middle/ 10th Std / 12th Std

5. No. Of registered students 6. Girls/ Boys/ Mixed

7. Capacity of hostel 8. Actual No. of boarders

9. Fuel used and expense

Type of

Fuel

No. of

Points

Duration of

requirement

/ day

Qty./

month

Amt. spent/

month

Problem faced

in procuring fuel

1 Kerosene

2 Diesel

3 Solar

4 Others

10. If Solar please note down the following details

a. Capacity of panels used (Watts)

i. 37 ii. 75 iii. 37 + 75 iv. 37+37

v. 75+75


b. Used since: __________________________________




If, no then what is the additional requirement? _______________________________________________


IV. Energy Consumption at Markets

(Please draw a strip map of the market)


Village

Name of Market Date Name of Surveyors

1. Details of market

a. No. Of Shops : b. Shops with single point:

c. Shops with more than one point: d. Contribution / month/ point:

2. Details of Genset used

a. Capacity of Genset:

b. How old is this genset:

c. Since when has this market been getting light through a genset?

Type of Fuel Purpose * Duration of requirement

/ day

Qty./ month

Amt. spent on fuel/ month

Avg. amt. spent on maintenance/

month

Diesel

Kerosene

Adulterated

* L = Only Lighting, LC = Lighting and Charging

3. Please provide the following details

a. No. of Committee members: b. How often does the committee change?

c. Is the power supply adequate? i. Yes ii. No

If No, what is the additional requirement?

d. When did the genset need maintenance last?

e. What was the problem?

f. Did it disrupt power supply? i. Yes ii. No

If yes, for how long?

h. How was money arranged for genset repairs? How much did it cost?

i. Note name of respondents


117

V. Energy Consumption by Commercial Enterprises

Name of Block Name of GP &Village

Name of respondent


1. Kind of Business: i. Sawmill ii. Flour mill iii. Shallow pumps (agri)

iv. Shop

If shallow pump for agricultural use then please note how many days in a year the pump is

used.

2. Fuel used and expense

Type of Fuel

No. of Points

Duration of requirement

/ day

Qty./ month

Amt. spent/ month

Amt. spent on

maintenance/ month

Problem faced in procuring fuel

1 Kerosene

2 Diesel

3 Solar

4 Others



i. 37 ii. 75 iii. 37 + 75 iv. 37+37

v. 75+75


b. Used since: __________________________________




If, no then what is the additional requirement?

_________________________________________________________


VI. Energy Consumption by Trawlers

Name of Block Name of GP &Village Date Name of Surveyors

1. Name of Trawler Owner:

2. No. of Trawlers owned:

3. Qty. of fuel and amount spent

Duration of

each fishing

trip

Fuel used ( tick

appropriate choice)

Qty./

trip

Amt. spent/ trip No. of trips/

year

1 2-10 days Kerosene

Diesel

Others


Diesel

Others


Diesel

Others

4 More than a

month

Kerosene

Diesel

Others

4. What are the maintenance issues faced? How often do u have to spend on maintenance?

5. Do you face any problems in procuring fuel?

6. Do you have requirement for more power?


119

VII. Energy Consumption at Jetties

(Please note name of respondents)

Name of Block Name of GP &Village

Name of Jetty Date Name of Surveyors

1. Purpose and Amount of Fuel used



i. 37 ii. 75 iii. 37 + 75 iv. Other, then provide details ______________________________

b. Used since: __________________________________



3. Who manages the distribution system? Please note down details

a. No. of committee members:

b. Process of contribution:

c. Is the supply adequate: i. Yes ii. No

If, no then what is the additional requirement? _________________________________________________________

Type of Fuel

Purpose No. of Points

Duration of requirement

/ day

Qty./ month

Amt. spent/ month

Amt. spent on maintenance/

month

Problem faced in

procuring fuel

1 Kerosene

2 Diesel

3 Solar

4 Others


Annexure 4: News Report on Grid Connectivity to Island Blocks in Sundarbans

Sundarbans remained the hub around which the state's solar energy movement centered. Given the

ecological sensitivity of the world's biggest deltaic mangrove forest, renewable energy was thought ideal for

these islands, given the ecological sensitivity of the world's biggest deltaic mangrove forest. With this new

move, the islands stand to lose much.

However, this month, State power minister Manish Gupta inaugurated the supply of grid power to Gosaba

and Sagar islands instead of solar power. This is just the beginning. The state government has decided to

extend grid energy throughout Sundarbans.

Cut off from the mainland, the earlier directive that grid power would not be extended to Sundarbans

worked wonders. Expanding the conventional grid to these islands defies economic logic as studies show

that the cost of transmission of grid power to such remote areas is three to four times the generation cost,

said former chief advisor to the state's power department, S P Gon Chaudhuri.

Moreover, setting up large and heavy transmission poles on the soft earth of the islands might lead to

greater erosion while poles installed in rivers and creeks can change tidal patterns, Chaudhuri said. These

transmission lines will also be vulnerable to cyclones that hit the region regularly. The government spent a

whopping Rs 70 crore alone for extending transmission lines across the 3.5-km wide Muriganga to Sagar from

the mainland. Sagar is now getting 25 MW power through a 33-kilovolt line. However, there is no matching

demand. Significantly, the state's transmission and distribution company installed a 220-kilovolt line for

supplying 300 MW power.

Revenues for electricity distributors are also low as a large number of households fall under are in the BPL

category. Moreover, settlements are dispersed due to the absence of commercial electricity users. A study

by the Delhi-based Centre for Science and Education (CSE) observed that not only is the quality of

electricity supplied reduced in such circumstances, but the cost of distribution becomes too high and

unviable.

The CSE report observed, "In this inter-tidal deltaic and cyclone-prone region, it is difficult to extend and

maintain electrical transmission and distribution (T&D) lines from the mainland and islands due to the wide

water channels."

About 1,076 villages are supposed to be covered under grid electrification. The per capita consumption of

electricity in the Sundarbans is as low as 50 kwh a year. About 96% of this is supplied through the grid.

Solar power ensured that there was uninterrupted electricity supply. But in the rural sector, 85% villages

face daily power cuts for four to nine hours. According to estimates by the Sundarbans Development Board

in 2010, the demand of electricity in the region is expected to grow 10 to 20 fold between 2010 and 2020.

Source: TNN, 29 Apr 2012


121

Annexure 5: List of Villages (Targeted under RGGVY)

Summary - South 24 Parganas


Un-electrified / De-electrified Villages for Electrification (Targeted)


123

Electrified Villages for Intense Electrification (Targeted)


Annexure 6: List of Villages (Completed under RGGVY)

Summary - South 24 Parganas


125

Un-electrified / De-electrified Villages for Electrification (Completed)

Electrified Villages for Intense Electrification (Completed)


Annexure 7: Block Level Summaries


127



129



131



133



135

References

Reconnaissance Study of five Blocks in Sundarbans, India under CCDRER project, 2012-13

Exploring Trust as a Function in Common Resource Management - Vilde Blix Huseby, 2012

Policy on Co-generation and Generation of Electricity from Renewable Sources of Energy –

GoWB, 2012

Living with changing climate Impact, vulnerability and adaptation challenges in Indian

Sundarbans – CSE, 2012

District Disaster Management Plan – South 24 Parganas, GoWB, 2012

Indian Sundarbans Delta - A Vision – WWF, 2011

The Solar Transitions research on solar mini-grids in India: Learning from local cases of

innovative socio-technical systems (Unpublished Version) – Department of sociology and

Human geography, University of Oslo, Norway, 2011

Sundarbans: Future Imperfect - Climate Adaptation Report – WWF, 2010

Fishing Community Issues in the Sundarban Tiger Reserve (STR) - International Collective in Support of Fishworker, Chennai, 2009

Remote Village Electrification Plan through Renewable Energy in the Islands of Indian

Sundarbans – (Indradip Mitra * and S.P.Gon Chaudhuri) The Energy and Resources Institute,

IHC Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi, India, 2005


Mlinda India