Persistence of Solid Fuel Use in Rural North India
Aashish Gupta1, Sangita Vyas2, Payal Hathi3
1Population Studies Center, University of Pennsylvania, US.
Economic and Political Weekly
|February 26, 2024
Summary
Despite widespread ownership of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), many households in rural North India continue to use solid fuels for cooking. This persistent solid fuel use hinders the full health benefits of LPG expansion.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Public Health
- Sociology
Background:
- Increased access to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in rural North India aims to improve health by reducing exposure to harmful cooking smoke.
- However, the continued use of solid fuels alongside LPG presents a significant challenge to achieving these health benefits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and contributing factors of persistent solid fuel use in rural North India despite increased LPG ownership.
- To identify barriers to exclusive LPG adoption for cooking.
Main Methods:
- Survey data collected from households in rural North India.
- Analysis of factors including household economic status, fuel costs, gender inequality, and beliefs surrounding solid fuel use.
Main Results:
- Three-quarters of surveyed households owned LPG, but nearly all also possessed solid fuel stoves.
- Among households with both fuel types, approximately three-quarters used solid fuels the day prior to the survey.
- Household economics, relative fuel costs, gender inequality, and beliefs about solid fuels significantly contribute to continued solid fuel consumption.
Conclusions:
- Simply increasing LPG availability is insufficient to eliminate solid fuel use in rural North India.
- Addressing economic, social, and cultural factors is crucial for promoting exclusive LPG adoption.
- Interventions must focus on encouraging exclusive LPG use to maximize public health gains from clean cooking fuel initiatives.
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