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The head of the channel supplying the micro-hydro plant at Garam Chasma, in Pakistan's Hindu Kush, a few miles from the Afghan border. (Photo credit: Martin Wright)

The Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) has installed over 180 micro-hydro power units in Chitral District, North-West Frontier Province, Pakistan. These supply electricity to about 175,000 people. The main use is for better quality lighting, but the ability to use radio, television and appliances like electric butter churners is also greatly valued.

Electric lighting has replaced expensive and polluting kerosene lamps and dirty pine resin torches. It gives children the invaluable chance to study during the evenings, while their parents can generate much-needed income by making clothes and handicrafts. But there are health and safely benefits too, like being able to avoid deadly scorpion stings at night.

AKRSP is looking to introduce larger micro-hydro plants with enough power for cooking and heating – easing the chronic firewood shortage threatening Chitral’s mountain communities.