India, May 12 -- Jharkhand, with its rich tribal culture and forested environment, has communities historically reliant on biomass fuels such as wood, coal, and dung for cooking-practices linked tosignificant health and environmental risks. To address these issues, the Government of India launched the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) in 2016, aiming to provide clean LPG fuel to low-income households. The article analyzes PMUY's influence on tribal women's cooking practices, outlining key improvements and persisting obstacles.
Traditional Cooking Practices in Jharkhand
In Jharkhand, tribal women have long relied on fuels like wood, coals and dung for cooking, using open fires or simple stoves in poorly ventilated homes. Prior to 2016, ...