Sundarbans-the name itself evokes curiosity and intrigue. Not surprisingly, the Sundarban islands have attracted tourists from far and wide. Liberality meaning beautiful forests, the Sundarbans have witnessed winds of change in the last few years. The 54 islands that comprises the Sundarbans are today connected to the mainland through road, rail, and waterways. While a number of islands, with a population close to 2 billion, do not have access to conventional grid electricity, the successful implementation of new and renewable energy projects have quite literally lighted up the lives of the residents of the Sundarban islands. Sundarbans is a region that stands out as being vulnerably to the impacts of climate change including drastic sea level rise. However, the population of Sundarbans is blissfully unaware of the perils facing them. As such, they have shown tremendous faith in the efficacy of renewable energy sources. The success has been so remarkable that the Sundarbans may be considered a rather unique hub of stand-alone renewable energy systems. This book provides a detailed insight into the entire renewable energy programme in the Sundarban islands. Beginning with the conceptual stage, the book goes on to describe the programme in its entirety, aided by interviews and visuals. Written in a succinct and pithy style, the book is aimed at students as well as non-specialist readers. It has been authored by technocrats, researchers, students, renewable energy entrepreneurs, reporters, and professional writers. About the Author Mr S P Gon Chaudhuri is a renowned energy expert. He has served in the government sector for more than two decades and was instrumental in initiating the renewable energy movement in the Sundarban islands in the early 1990s. He is currently Director, WBREDA (West Bengal Renewable Energy Development Agency), and adviser to a number of Indian state governments. Table of Contents • Foreword • Preface • Acknowledgements • Bengal's natural protection: the Sundarbans edge Interview • Folk, flora, cauna: dramatist personae on the sandy stage Interview • Solarized Sundarbans • Approaches to electrification of remote villages: relevance of the Sundarbans experience • Distributed generation and rural electrification in the Sundarbans • Overview of off-grid power supply through renewable energy and its social impact • Sagar Island's wind-diesel hybrid power project: a social assessment • Wind-diesel hybrid technology • Sundarbans: an attractive destination for the students of renewable energy • Resolving the energy crisis through tidal power: the ecological challenge • Renewable energy projects in Sundabans: a reporter's view