Product details

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Abstract

Himalayas, abode to the most fragile and diverse ecosystem in the world, was on the lookout for some signs of development by which the scores of people living in the remotest and largely inaccessible regions there could have access to electricity, basic education and livelihood. The Himalayan communities believed that access to renewable energy would not only lead to a better living standard for them but also replace the highly environmentally detrimental source of fuel - kerosene, in the village households. 'Electrifying' these geographically marginalised villages was a stepping stone towards their social upliftment and connection with the rest of the world. In 2012, Paras Loomba (Loomba), an engineer by profession, rolled out a social impact journey called 'Global Himalayan Expedition' wherein he designed a model for sustainable development by combining ingredients like adventure, solar energy, education, impact tourism, homestays, trekking, social volunteerism, technology and inclusive growth. It was a model to reach to Bottom-of-the-Pyramid (BoP). But then, Loomba's social entrepreneurship model was garnering criticisms for causing imbalance in the naturally evolved ecosystem of the Himalayas. Besides, this tussle of development versus preservation, the successful scaling up this social enterprise was also skeptical. Amidst all this, questions were raised whether Loomba's model of development was really sustainable?
Location:
Other setting(s):
2017

About

Abstract

Himalayas, abode to the most fragile and diverse ecosystem in the world, was on the lookout for some signs of development by which the scores of people living in the remotest and largely inaccessible regions there could have access to electricity, basic education and livelihood. The Himalayan communities believed that access to renewable energy would not only lead to a better living standard for them but also replace the highly environmentally detrimental source of fuel - kerosene, in the village households. 'Electrifying' these geographically marginalised villages was a stepping stone towards their social upliftment and connection with the rest of the world. In 2012, Paras Loomba (Loomba), an engineer by profession, rolled out a social impact journey called 'Global Himalayan Expedition' wherein he designed a model for sustainable development by combining ingredients like adventure, solar energy, education, impact tourism, homestays, trekking, social volunteerism, technology and inclusive growth. It was a model to reach to Bottom-of-the-Pyramid (BoP). But then, Loomba's social entrepreneurship model was garnering criticisms for causing imbalance in the naturally evolved ecosystem of the Himalayas. Besides, this tussle of development versus preservation, the successful scaling up this social enterprise was also skeptical. Amidst all this, questions were raised whether Loomba's model of development was really sustainable?

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Location:
Other setting(s):
2017

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