Choice of Cooking Fuel Across Castes in Rural India

This chapter looks into the caste disparity in cooking fuel choice in rural India. This study has identified various demographic characteristics such as family size, average age of family and age and sex of family head; economic factors like income and land; and social factors like education and religious beliefs, which are highly associated with consumption decision for firewood and chips across castes (ST, SC and OBC) in rural India. Land-owned households of all castes reduce their consumption of firewood and chips. Land ownership rights might ensure reduction of firewood and chips consumption. Hence, the government should redesign land distribution policy for the deprived social castes across rural India. Female-headed household across caste also reduces the consumption decision for firewood and chips.