Making of an Urja Arc

The development of various types of decentralized rural energy systems is taking place in various nooks and corners of the country. However, the way the development is taking place varies from one place to another and from one promoter to another. Among these developments, the pragmatic and innovative approach of the REDP is being discussed as the 'talk of the time' in the recent years. The REDP supports to develop rural energy systems to electrify a VDC completely but in a phased manner. This is incorporated in the decentralized rural energy planning and management practice followed by the DDC in order to fulfill the demands of the people through the capitalization of their aspirations and commitment for the development of rural energy systems. Experiences have shown that people are sensitized and familiarized more through the successful demonstration in of the programme activities in the neighboring VDCs thereby generating multiplying effects of the initiatives undertaken for the forwarding looking socio-economic transformation of the community people of the entire area.

The Taman VDC in Baglung district was selected for programme implementation in the late 1997 with a view to provide access to electricity to its two main settlements, viz. Taman and Lamela. The implementation of the 20 kW Taman MHDS was completed in 1999 which is benefiting 230 households of six wards of the VDC. The Thul Khola MHDS (18 kW) is under implementation. Once completed, it will benefit nearly 300 households in Lamela (Ward # 7,8,9). The people from the adjoining VDCs were very much impressed with the excellent results in Taman VDC. They have put strong demand to DDC: REDS for programme expansion as they meet REDP criteria of VDC selection. Accordingly, the Gwalichaur and Bhimgithe VDCs were selected in the second phase of programme expansion. The installation of the Labdi Khola MHDS of 56 kW in Gwalichaur VDC, and the Bhimghat Khola MHDS of 42 kW in Bhimgithe VDC have been carried out successfully. Works are underway for the Labdi Khola II MHDS of 30 kW in Gwalichaur and the Upper Bhimghat Khola of 18 kW in Bhimgithe VDC. The successful implementation of these schemes has encouraged in selecting two more VDCs in the locality viz. Dagatundanda and Khunga for the further expansion. Now, it is quite interesting to observe that all these VDCs which stretch from Dagatundanda to Taman form the shape of an arc in the map of the district. The formation of this arc has been admired not only by the community people and local authorities, but also by the national level stakeholders. The beauty of the arc does not lie only on its geographical positioning; it is more relevant as the people residing in these VDCs share common way of life and maintains similar social relations. The development of the rural energy systems through the arc will foster the strong social capital and asset bases leading to higher level of development of the entire areas.

It is encouraging to note that these VDCs are being linked through the Kharbang –Burtibang district road. This road is considered as the backbone of the western part of the district and the development of series of micro hydro systems along the roads have been compared to the 'blood veins' of these entire locations. The demonstrative effective would not be limited to the Baglung district alone; it would get spread over to the neighboring districts viz., Gulmi, Rukum and Myagdi.