Srinivasan Sekar, 50, from Bangalore, has built a two-storey home that is free from dependence on the electricity grid or water supply. He has installed 12 solar panels on his rooftop, at a cost of Rs 4 lakh. On any given day, including rainy days, it can generate 12-15 units which is sufficient for most four-people households.

A unique tourism-conservation-livelihood initiative in Sarmoli, Uttarakhand, offers a learning experience for both visitors and villagers, say Ashish Kothari and Neema Pathak.