The realm of small hydropower

"The Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources (MNES) has been encouraging NGOs to actively participate in the development of small hydropower projects. The first project of the country set up by an NGO, namely the Sai Engineering Foundation, was in Titang (80 KW) in Himachal Pradesh. It was commissioned on December 31, 2001. The project is situated in a remote area of Poonch sub-division of District Kinnaur. This project is grid connected, selling power of the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board (HPSEB). It serves five remote villages of the area. The project has been set up as part of UNDP-GEF (United Nations Development Programme/Global Environmental Facility) Hilly Hydro Project."
"Water mills have been traditionally used in the Himalayan region for grinding grains, oil extraction etc. It is estimated that there are about 1.5 lakh water mills in the region. Under the UNDP-GEF Hilly Hydro Project, many water mills have been developed with new and efficient designs, for mechanical work as also electricity generation. Many water mills with advanced designs have been installed in the States of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, and Arunachal Pradesh."
"The State of Arunachal Pradesh has over 5,000 water mills with the highest number (about 2500) in the District of Tawang. One of these is in Changpa village in the state. As part of UNDP-GEF Hilly Hydro Project, 50 water mills were installed in Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh. This has triggered new economic activities in the area."
(Satyesh C. Chakraborty in 'Energy Opportunities & Social Responsibility,' p. 167 Jaico)