Access to clean cooking energy is not merely an environmental issue but a question of gender justice and public health. Examine the role of improved cookstove technology in bridging India's clean cooking deficit, with reference to the limitations of existing policy frameworks.

Question

PocketIAS · Accepted Answer

Introduction

Nearly half of Indian households still rely partly on biomass for cooking, leading to indoor air pollution, health risks, and drudgery. Thus, clean cooking is a public health and gender justice issue, not merely environmental.

Clean Cooking Deficit: Gender and Health Dimensions

Health burden: Household air pollution causes respiratory diseases, especially among women and children.
Gender inequality: Women spend hours collecting fuel and face exposure to smoke.
Time poverty: Limits women’s participation in education and livelihoods.

Role of Improved Cookstove (ICS) Technology

Reduced emissions: More efficient combustion lowers particulate matter and smoke exposure.
Fuel efficiency: Decreases firewood consumption, reducing drudgery and deforestation.
Affordability and accessibility: Cheaper and adaptable compared to LPG in remote areas.
Transitional solution: Bridges the gap where full LPG or electric cooking access is unviable.

Limitations of Existing Policy Frameworks

LPG-centric approach: Schemes like PMUY focus on connections, not sustained usage (refill affordability issues).
Neglect of ICS ecosystem: Limited support for R&D, standards, and large-scale dissemination.
Behavioural barriers: Cultural preferences for traditional chulhas persist.
Fragmented implementation: Lack of coordination across ministries and weak last-mile delivery.
Monitoring gaps: Insufficient tracking of actual usage and impact.

Challenges Specific to ICS Adoption

Performance variability: Not all improved stoves achieve clean-air standards.
Maintenance and durability issues.
Limited awareness and financing options.

Way Forward

Diversified clean cooking strategy: Combine LPG, electricity, and advanced ICS.
Stronger standards and certification for ICS performance.
Targeted subsidies and carbon financing to improve affordability.
Behavioural change campaigns focusing on health benefits.
Women-centric implementation through SHGs and local institutions.

Conclusion

Improved cookstoves can act as a pragmatic bridge in India’s clean cooking transition, but require policy recognition, technological reliability, and behavioural alignment to address the intertwined challenges of health, gender, and energy access.

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