This year’s prestigious Dasara Exhibition served as a vibrant platform for various Karnataka government departments to spotlight their social welfare initiatives. Through engaging stalls featuring both informative displays and live demonstrations, the aim was to empower citizens by raising awareness and encouraging participation in crucial government schemes.
Karnataka has already achieved significant milestones in renewable energy, particularly in solar and wind power. Building on this success, the state is now intensifying its focus on the bio-energy sector, rolling out new plans and implementing schemes designed to further bolster this vital area.
A key highlight at the exhibition was the ‘Bio-Energy Pavilion,’ meticulously curated by the Karnataka State Bio-Energy Development Board. This innovative space offered valuable insights and live demonstrations of ongoing projects, alongside outlining the exciting future trajectory of the bio-energy sector. The pavilion was officially inaugurated by Board Chairman S.E. Sudheendra, joined by Dasara Exhibition Authority Chairman Ayub Khan.
According to Mr. Sudheendra, the State government has recently designated the Board as the central authority for the sale of Biodiesel B100. This mandate comes with new orders and guidelines aimed at streamlining the establishment of retail outlets, making biodiesel more accessible to the public.
Furthermore, an agreement has been finalized with the Karnataka Exhibition Authority. This partnership will focus on efficient waste collection, bio-fuel production, and distribution specifically within Mysuru. Efforts are already in motion to roll out biodiesel and compressed biogas distribution in the near future.
Mr. Sudheendra anticipates a significant transformation within the bio-energy sector in just a few months, fostering an attractive environment for potential investors.
He commended the State government’s proactive approach in introducing various incentives and subsidies to boost bio-energy production, expressing optimism that these supportive measures will be fully implemented very soon.
Through the platform provided by the exhibition, the Board seeks to engage all key stakeholders across the bio-energy value chain. The goal is to encourage collaboration in critical areas such as raw material procurement, production processes, and distribution networks, ultimately contributing substantially to India’s overall energy output.
Among those present at the event were Shivashankar L., Managing Director of the Board; Lohith B.R., Deputy Conservator of Forests; Fayaz, Deputy Conservator of Forests for Hunsur Social Forestry; Dayananda G.N., Project Consultant; Shyam Sundar, Coordinator of the NIE College BRIDC Centre; and other distinguished guests.