Teri, Assam Govt stress on alternative fuel

Guwahati, Mar 4 (UNI) The Assam Government and the Tata Energy Research Institute (TERI) have jointly launched a hunt for alternative fuel to protect the existing bio-fuel of the state.

Attending a workshop, organised by TERI, Nobel laureate Dr R K Pachuri and Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi called upon the scientific community to explore the bio-diversity of the North East for alternative fuel.

''The first oil well in India was in Assam and I want to see the North East as the first source of bio-fuel in the country, '' said Dr Rajendra K Pachauri, Director General of TERI, and also the joint winner of the Nobel Peace prize, 2007.

Dr Pachauri also stressed on power in the rural areas and stated that with modern science and technology it would be possible to develop modern fuel in a short period of time, and then the saying will be, he said, '' If you need oil, go to the North East and not the West Asia. '' Mr Gogoi, present on the occasion, said, '' The entire North East is a hub of bio-diversity waiting to be explored. There is a lot to be explored in this region, '' the Minister added.

He also assured full cooperation from his government towards the endeavour of development of bio-fuel in the state, which could be a boon in the form of economical development.

Presently, Indian bio-diesel is in a nascent state, the supply of raw material being in a very limited supply. In the present scenario, when most of the cultivable areas are covered by field crops, plant species such as ''jatropha'' are hardy by nature and has multipurpose utility, and becomes a suitable choice for bio-diesel source.

The day-long workshop on bio-diesel was addressed by various scientists, working on various aspects of bio-diesel, senior scientists from TERI, scientists from oil industry and eminent persons engaged in rural development activities.

The workshop was attended by people from different fields - NGO activists, social workers and cultivators.

UNI MT SJC BJR KN1917