Forests, social networks, and adoption of improved cook stoves: exploring linkages in Kullu, India
Student name: Ms Anjana Seshadri and Ms Arundhati Jagadish
Guide: Dr P K Joshi
Year of completion: 2012
Host Organisation: Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Dr Puneet Dwivedi
Abstract: Relationships between forests and society have existed for ages, but forest utilization by
communities is a major issue today. The relationship is understood to be a complex one and
therefore tackling this is not easy. Many factors come into play, such as location of communities,
demographic and household characteristics, long term dependency and lack of viable
alternatives.
Forests, social networks and adoption of improved cook stoves, have been identified as the key
elements of this study in Lug Valley, Kullu because the dependence of communities on fuelwood
for cooking and heating purposes is high.
Each of these elements is related to the other with social networks forming the bridge. The
networks can be explored to look into resource utilization as well adoption of improved cook
stoves. We have focussed on social networks and their role in adoption of cook stoves while
drawing linkages between fuelwood consumption and adoption of these improved cook stoves.
The fuelwood consumption was quantified and their values were related to their use in cook
stoves. Demographic characteristics were taken to see their influence on this consumption in two
seasons, summer and winter. These factors were then used in statistical analysis against
presence/ absence of cook stoves individually and in combinations, which is more common in this
valley.
Social networks were visualized for villages and key actors were identified from these. This
identification can help in quicker information dissemination and strengthening of these ties can
lead to better success of implementation of improved cook stoves.
Keywords: Communities, Fuelwood, Improved cook stoves, Adoption, Social networks
