Micro-Hydros

Intro to Nepal

• Nepal is a land locked country and is home to the Himilayas.
• Low GDP Per Capita $693 (2013)
• 85% live in rural areas, steep mountain terrain makes access to services difficult.
• High levels of deforestation.
• 90% of population linked to agriculture, mostly at a subsistence level.
• They are 'rich' in water resources.

Why bottom up?

• Large scale dams are COSTLY and take a long TIME to build.
• Thus, small scale local projects in communities is the solution.
• It provides electricity.

Practical Action

• A British charitable organisation that works in Africa, Asia and South America.
• Its aim is to develop appropriate technology that enable people to help themselves.

Ghandruk Village

• Electricity from the Moda Khola river.
• Rural subsistence development.
• Bottom up.
• Aims to improve the livelihoods of local people.
• Steady expansion of community managed micro-hydro systems which provided coverage to about 40,000 households.

Social Impacts

• Less labour intensive.
• Improves living situations.
• Older people can use machines.
• Reduces risk of lung disease.
• More household disposable income.
• Improves education, electricity and light for schools.
• Millhouse is a popular meeting place
• 4 hours to 15 mins!!!

Economic Impacts

• Productivity of hulling rice increases.
• Kerosene lamps are mostly costly.
• Supply of power releases them from many labour intensive & time consuming tasks.

Environmental Impacts

• Clean energy.
• Saves fuelwood.
• Helps deforestation.