A sample survey was conducted in a cluster of 4 villages.10 families from each village were questioned for the survey. The main objective of the survey was to do a scenario analysis of the fuel used for cooking purpose and it’s interrelation with the background of the family in order to assess the following:<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
· Current pattern of fuel use
· Economic Status of the families
· Awareness level of people about Jatropha
· Readiness to use Jatropha as an alternative fuel
The four villages in which the survey was conducted were:
- Papra
- Chota Kakrana
- Mahasingh ka Bans
- Ismailpur
The average family members are 5 in the four villages taken. The health status of the families is found to be good while the use of addictive substance is very prominent in all the villages. This health status in indicative of their perception alone but the long term use of wood as a cooking fuel can have serious repercussions on their health as the smoke inhaled on a daily basis can lead to respiratory problems.
Table-1
|
S.No. |
Average Family members |
Health Status Good |
Addictive Substance Use |
|
1 |
4-5 |
10 |
4 |
|
2 |
5-6 |
10 |
8 |
|
3 |
6 |
9 |
8 |
|
4 |
4-5 |
10 |
7 |
The average monthly income is Rs. 4525. for a family of 4-5 members and the income source is mainly through farming or labour work. Thus most of the population is living below poverty line.
Table-2
|
S.No. |
Average Monthly Income(Rs) |
|
1 |
3600 |
|
2 |
7050 |
|
3 |
3350 |
|
4 |
4200 |
Table-3
|
Income Source | |||
|
S.No. |
Farming/Labour |
Shop |
Other |
|
1 |
6 |
3 |
1 |
|
2 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
|
3 |
8 |
0 |
1 |
|
4 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
Now, it is found that wood is mainly used as a fuel for cooking purpose which is mainly of the type belonging to Babul/dry wood/danthal. Sometimes, wood is used in combination with the LPG for cooking but this is very rare. The collection of this fuel wood is done mostly by women in all the villages, although children are also found to be involved in the collection of wood. The average distance covered by women in collecting wood is 2.25 kms and the time spent in collecting this wood on an average is 2.7 hours, the frequency of which is on a daily basis or during the winter months. The source of this fuel wood is forests. Also, the average usage of wood per month is approx. 88 kg and the price of wood in market is in the range of Rs. 250-300 per quintal
Thus, this activity of collection of wood from the forests and the burning of wood for cooking purpose leads to the following social and environmental problems:
First of all, drudgery of women arises as a social problem as women are seen to be involved majorly in this activity. Not only do they travel long distances which can also lead to violence in some instances but also it is a very time-consuming activity.
Second aspect of this activity is burning of fuel wood for cooking. This gives rise to two major problems:
1. The exposure of the women to fuel wood smoke on a daily basis while cooking has a serious impact on their health status which can have major implications in the long run .The indoor pollution level needs to be checked and assessed for a better overview of the extent of this problem.
2. The continual use of wood from forests by felling of trees, shrubs etc leads to the depletion of forest cover.
Table-4
|
S.No. |
Average distance covered for fuel (Km) |
Average Time spent (Hrs) |
Average use of wood/month (Kg) |
Collection done by women |
Price of wood (Rs/quintal) |
|
1 |
3 |
2 |
92 |
10 |
300 |
|
2 |
1 |
1.8 |
66 |
10 |
210 |
|
3 |
2.7 |
4.1 |
122 |
4 |
300 |
|
4 |
2.3 |
3.2 |
72 |
10 |
140 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NR |
|
|
3 |
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
4 |
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
5 |
Table-5
|
Source of fuel | ||||
|
S.No. |
Farm |
<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Forest+Farm |
Forest |
Purchase |
|
1 |
6 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
|
2 |
2 |
8 |
0 |
0 |
|
3 |
0 |
0 |
9 |
1 |
|
4 |
1 |
1 |
8 |
0 |
Table-6
|
Time of the year spent on collection of wood | ||||
|
S.No. |
Daily |
Winter mths |
Anytime | |
|
1 |
6 |
4 |
0 | |
|
2 |
0 |
6 |
3 | |
|
3 |
0 |
10 |
0 | |
|
4 |
1 |
8 |
1 | |
Table-7
|
Type of Wood |
| |
|
S.No. |
Babul/Dry wood/Danthal |
Any type |
|
1 |
9 |
1 |
|
2 |
5 |
5 |
|
3 |
9 |
1 |
|
4 |
7 |
3 |
The use of kerosene in the households was also found out which was mainly for the purpose of lighting or in chimneys. Therefore, the knowledge about Jatropha was checked among the people and their readiness to use Jatropha as an alternative fuel for cooking. The other aspects like association with SHG and training needs of SHG were also analysed.
The findings show that people are not much aware of Jatropha and its uses but the willingness to plant Jatropha is very strong. Even though the association with SHGs is found to be poor but the people are willing to be associated with SHGs for Jatropha plantation and also would like to receive training for the same.
|
Use of kerosene | |||
|
S.No. |
Chimney |
Lighting |
Engine |
|
1 |
6 |
4 |
0 |
|
2 |
2 |
4 |
4 |
|
3 |
2 |
8 |
0 |
|
4 |
6 |
4 |
0 |
Table-8
Table-9
|
S.No. |
Knowledge of Jatropha |
Ready to plant Jatropha |
Awareness of jatropha use as cooking oil |
Association with SHG |
Ready to work with SHG for jatropha oil |
Training needed for SHG |
|
1 |
3 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
8 |
|
2 |
3 |
6 |
2 |
8 |
10 |
10 |
|
3 |
1 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
8 |
|
4 |
2 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
8 |
Conclusion
SOURCE:
1. Wood obtained from forest, farm or crop residues are the main sources of biofuel.
2. Use of kerosene is not reported for cooking
3. Kerosene is used mainly for illumination.
4. LPG use is scarce.
5. Wood collection is the primary cause of deforestation.
SUPPLY OF WOOD:
1. Women folk spend 2.7 hrs to fetch the wood from 2.25 km.
JATROPHA:
Around 2500 plants of Jatropha are planted in different village clusters.
WILLINGNESS OF PEOPLE:
The people are willing to use Jatropha oil.
AVAILABILITY OF JATROPHA PLANTS:
Cluster I- (Plants raised by SHG)
1. Kheda=1000
2. Shyampura=500
3. Bhamod=1000
4. Barwada=1000
Cluster-II-(Plants with SHG)
5. Papda=2000
6. Ismailpur=5000
7. Mahasingh ka Bas=200
8. Kakrana Chota=200
Miscellaneous-
9. Viratnagar=10,000
10. Ganesh Road=1000
11. Mohandoda=1000
12. Gonadi=1000
13. Guja=1000
14. Bansingh=1000
15. Gitdhari=1000
16. Swamio ka Bagh=10,000
Others-
17. Sodhana=200
18. Badshapur=500
19. Godharda=200
20. Galawas=500
21. Talwa Wihazat=2000
22. Matdho ki Dhani=1000
23. Gopinath ki Dhani=1000
TOTAL=2500 plants
TRAINING:
A need to train people on the use of Jatropha could be implemented in all the clusters.
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