BIO-FUELS: INDIAN SCENARIO-A REVIEWSwati Joshi and Dheeraj JoshiAbstract In order to realize the goal of sustainability in a brisk and efficient way,waste oils can be recycled into highgrade ecofriendly fuel. In this process, there is approximately 85 percent less emission of carbon-di-oxidegas. Now-a-days, biofuel or its blend has totally reinstated the conventional transport fuel in many of thedeveloped countries. India has also done significant research and developmentin this field particularly inthe bio-fuel production and utilization. Nearly 800 million people residing in Indian rural areas have beenusing forest wood cut or bio-mass as their primary fuel source. The devastating impacts of massivedeforestation due to this practice are quite detrimental and challenging for environment and sustainability.To overcome these challenges, strong measures need to be taken so that waste-lands can be utilized for theproduction of ecofriendly fuels instead of deforestation. Government of India in December 2009 has alreadysanctioned the National policy for bio-fuels which promotes the use of alternate fuels and renewable energyresources as supplement of conventional chemical fuels like petrol and diesel (transport fuels). In addition,National Bio-diesel Mission (NBM) declared tree-borne oil-seeds of Jatropha curcas as the best source for theproduction of bio-diesel. Currently, many private and government institutes, state level bio-fuel boards,agricultural universities, industrial sectors and many other agencies are engaged in the bio-fuel projects aswell as in providing financial and technical support to such ventures. This review describes the need of biofuels,its mechanism of usage by various methods alongwith planning, challenges and future aspects of bio-fuels in India. |