The biofuel paradigm: a resilience strategy for energy security and community empowerment in pine-dominated forest management of the Indian Himalaya

Forest fires in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) are intensified by the accumulation of highly flammable Chir pine (Pinus roxburghii Sarg.) needles. This biomass, often treated as waste, represents both a hazard and an untapped renewable energy resource. Converting pine needles into biofuel offers a dual solution—reducing fire risk while contributing to rural energy security. However, systemic gaps in technology adoption, governance, and resource management have limited progress. This study develops an integrated, community-centric framework for sustainable deployment of pine-based biofuel systems in the IHR. Four objectives guided the research: (i) characterization of pine needle fuel properties to establish a baseline for harvest planning; (ii) techno-economic and sustainability analysis of decentralized conversion pathways, with briquetting emerging as most viable under current constraints; (iii) evaluation of a participatory governance model integrating local knowledge with institutional mechanisms to ensure equitable benefit-sharing and community ownership; and (iv) synthesis into a scalable framework aligned with national forest policy and climate goals. Results show community-managed biofuel systems can reduce forest fire fuel loads while fostering livelihoods. Briquetting was identified as the most feasible pathway, while pyrolysis and gasification showed promise for cluster-level deployment with targeted investment. The study provides a replicable blueprint for transforming hazardous pine needle waste into energy security, ecological resilience, and inclusive development in fragile mountain ecosystems.