WWF India has enabled alternative energy access to a cluster of households at Gosaba block in the Sunderbans.
The organization, under its ‘Sahasra Jyoti’ project, had been working extensively with local communities in the mangrove forest area of West Bengal to provide them cost-effective energy solutions – while reducing the pressure on surrounding environment.
A solar project at Satjelia Island in the area has already covered five hamlets. WWF has installed five micro grids in three phases with the installed capacity of 56.18 kW. The number of establishments covered under the project in Gosaba block included 25 shops, eight institutions and 512 houses.
Over 2100 individuals have benefitted in the area. Sixty per cent of the households that got electricity belonged to BPL families. 50 street lights have also been installed as part of the initiative.
The project has improved the living conditions of people in the rural areas and village folks can now keep their shops open till late in the evening and children can study after sunset.