6.3. Generation of energy databases

The elaborate structure of the local government, which goes down to the village panchayath and its electoral wards can be effectively used for the generation of useful data. A simple methodology for obtaining information at both village panchayath and household levels has been demonstrated in this study. It may be pointed out that, besides collection of basic facts and figures, this kind of micro-level survey can also be used to assess problems and solutions perceived by local groups. This was particularly true of fuel wood for which the rapid rate of forest depletion, and not the limited area under forest, was conceived as a major problem or stress. This reckoning obviously is a positive factor and needs to be used effectively by involving representatives of such groups in the energy planning and development processes at the grassroots level. The household survey generated extensive data on energy which provided insights into energy consumption patterns (communitywise and landholding categorywise) use of cooking devices, possession of energy appliances, and the changing trends in energy use in the domestic sector. These surveys also indicated that the existing system of local government can be easily mobilised to build an effective energy information system for planning and development at the district and local levels without incurring any significant additional financial burden [48,49].