India's Clean Energy Stalls as Households Return to Firewood and Dung

A potential shortage of imported gas is causing a worrying shift in India's energy use. With prices rising and supplies uncertain due to conflict in the Middle East, many households are turning back to traditional fuels. Reports from across India show rising sales of biomass. This includes firewood and cakes of dried cow dung. These fuels are often used for cooking and heating in rural and poorer urban areas. This shift threatens recent progress in clean energy adoption. The Indian government has promoted liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as a cleaner alternative to biomass, which creates heavy indoor air pollution. Health experts link smoke from these traditional fuels to respiratory diseases. The trigger is concern over imports. Iran is a key supplier, and conflict involving the country risks disrupting shipments. This has led to higher prices and fears of a national shortage, pushing consumers toward cheaper, readily available options. Analysts say this highlights the fragility of energy gains when global crises impact local markets. A sustained move back to biomass could reverse health and environmental benefits achieved by India's clean cooking initiatives.