Tura, March 28: Like most villages in rural India, Naronggre village, under Dalu C&RD block in Garo Hills, was dependent on firewood for daily cooking. This remote village with little over 50 households, had no electricity as well.

Thanks to the intervention and pilot initiative supported by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and implemented by Global Himalayan Expedition (GHE), this village has seen solar electrification as well as introduction of India’s first solar power electrical pressure cookers.

The Chief Minister visited this village on Friday and officially inaugurated the project, while announcing that the government is identifying remote villages across the state for implementation of the project, which include solar electrification, including introduction of solar powered electrical pressure cookers (EPC).

“Women had to walk 2-3 kilometres each day to collect firewood. This practice not only accelerates deforestation but also exposes families to hazardous indoor air pollution. Beyond firewood, many households rely on kerosene. This project has brought in smiles in the village, and the intervention will ensure zero use of firewood for cooking,” the chief minister said.

The chief minister informed that GHE has been working in the state, particularly in remote Garo Hills for the past six years, and have covered over 20,000 beneficiaries, who are connected through solar lights, solar powered computer labs across various schools, including the introduction of clean cooking solutions.

Last year, GHE also started a solar light manufacturing unit in Tura, which was inaugurated by the chief minister.

“We are supporting GHE for the implementation of the project, as they have a proven track record of serving the society. They have mobilised funds from CSR, which is doubled with equal matching funds from the state for execution of the project,” he added.

“The goal is to transition local communities from traditional cooking methods towards more sustainable options, benefiting both indoor and outdoor environments. However, convincing communities to switch from their centuries-old cooking traditions to modern methods is not always easy, but through concerted efforts, GHE has been able to convince communities, wherever they have gone,” he further said.

The inaugural function was also attended by Salmanpara MLA Ian Botham Sangma and Dalu MLA Brenning Sangma.

Over 26 households, out of 50, have been covered under the project, and the Chief Minister has assured that all the households in the village will be covered under the project.

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