Renewable energy on tribal lands of India

Abstract

Recognized tribal areas in India are primarily governed under the Fifth and Sixth Schedules of the Constitution. These regions are home to over 700 officially recognized ethnic groups known as Scheduled Tribes (STs), who are guaranteed constitutional protections to preserve their distinct cultures and lands.  Recognized tribal groups in India benefit from specific legislative frameworks such as the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA) and the Forest Rights Act (FRA), which protect customary rights over ancestral lands, forest produce, and community resources. Indian tribes comprise 705 communities that constitute roughly 8 percent of the nation's total population of more than 1 billion. In eastern India the tribes are concentrated in the hilly areas of the Eastern Ghats’ forests (Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh). The major occupation of these tribes is primarily agriculture and collection of non-timber forest produce (NTFP). Their rich culture is well depicted in their folk songs, dances, art and craft, and music according to regional differences. Renewable energy is a natural source of energy that is abundant and or regenerative. There are many different types of renewable energy such as solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, and hydro electric. Energy and Infrastructure are the most significant issues in developing and sustaining economic growth on tribal lands. Tribal lands contain enormous potential for renewable energy. Since a large number of tribal communities (approximately 8 million people) in India are geographically scattered, consuming very small quantities of electricity, extending the grid may not be a viable solution, as compared with energy generation using local, renewable resources. Most tribal areas rely mainly on traditionally extracted fuel wood for cooking and heating, on kerosene (replacing traditional oil) for lighting, on manual and animal power for agriculture. The paper can assist tribes in ASR, East Godavari Districts of Andhra Pradesh and some interior parts of Odisha and Jharkhand States of India who have interest or want an introduction to renewable energy the resources, to begin their quest to understand, develop, and eventually implement renewable energy on tribal lands.