In India, the widespread use of solid biomass fuels, such as wood, dung, and crop residue, for cooking has led to severe air pollution, resulting in millions of premature deaths annually. However, a government initiative aimed at providing clean cooking fuel has shown promising results in reducing pollution and promoting ecological restoration. The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) scheme, launched in 2016, provides capital cost subsidies for Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) connections to poor households and forest-dwelling communities. In Jharkhand, the scheme has achieved significant success, with LPG access increasing from 25% in 2015 to 75% by 2020.
Researchers from the Indian Institute of Science, the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, and the Institute of Forest Productivity studied the environmental impact of this rapid energy transition. They used satellite data analysis and on-the-ground field surveys to assess the effect of the scheme on forest health. The results showed a significant increase in forest biomass, known as greening, in areas with higher LPG adoption. The study found that villages with higher LPG coverage reported a substantial reduction in firewood consumption, with an average decrease of 209.52 kg/year per household.
The study’s findings have important implications for forest conservation and climate change mitigation. Reduced firewood extraction lessens pressure on forests, allowing them to regenerate and sequester more carbon. The Ujjwala scheme has also improved the health and quality of life for millions of women and children by reducing exposure to harmful indoor smoke. However, the researchers note that sustained use of LPG remains a challenge, with relatively low refill rates in Jharkhand. To ensure long-term sustainability, ongoing support, such as targeted subsidies for LPG refills, is necessary to make clean energy affordable for the poorest households.
The study highlights the connections between social welfare, energy policy, and ecological restoration. It demonstrates how government initiatives can have large-scale positive impacts on socio-ecological systems. The findings offer a tangible pathway for forest conservation and climate change mitigation, and underscore the importance of ensuring sustained use of clean energy to foster both human well-being and ecological resilience. Overall, the study provides compelling evidence of the effectiveness of the Ujjwala scheme in reducing pollution and promoting ecological restoration, and emphasizes the need for continued support to maintain these gains.