Dehradun, May 11 -- 'Saahas Dobasu' is a project that seeks to leverage a traditional technique available in Uttarakhand that harnesses nature for producing energy. Gharat is a water turbine used for making flour that was widely present in the hills, especially in the Himalayan region. The water sources for running the gharats are glaciers, perennial streams and rivulets. Gharat is an indigenous technology that converts the potential and kinetic energy of water into mechanical energy.

The uses of gharats in Uttarakhand are varied. While crushing/pounding grains into flour is the most common use, they also come handy in shaping timber, textiles and metals. The utility and scale of gharats depend upon the force with which water can either ...