Fear of the dark may continue to haunt a majority of Nepalis for eons to come. Fortunately, from amidst the eerie background have emerged daredevils who are determined to brave the horror and keep the blight at bay. Experimenting with the 'Law of Conservation of Energy', they appear to be working overtime to illumine the melancholic faces that hang in despair over the ever-extending hours of power cuts. Bio-gas has long been used in some parts of rural Nepal as an alternative source of energy. However, not everybody is fortunate enough to own herds of cattle for dung that feeds the plants or lights houses. So some industrious Nepalis are learnt to be toying with the idea or have even moved a step ahead for generating power through other means.

Even as the government is planning to install thermal power plants estimated to cost billions, these people, thankfully, seem to be eagerly looking for cheaper alternatives. Some of the stuff they are learnt to have brought to use includes food-related things. When we are facing a food shortage, how far the production of bio-fuels to meet our energy needs may be feasible can be a matter for fierce debate. Moreover, bio-fuels alone cannot provide the complete answer for Nepal. Meanwhile, the government has gone into conservation mode: stripping advertising billboards of their shine and encouraging the public to use compact fluorescent lamps (CFL). Perhaps, a combination of various feasible options will work best.

Source: The Himalayan Times, 30 December 2008