Twenty solar-powered streetlights have been installed in Koodamoola tribal hamlet in Gudalur taluk of the Nilgiris district, where around 120 tribal families previously had only four streetlights.

The installation was taken up by C.K. College of Engineering and Technology, part of CK Group of Educational Institutions, and the Sustainable Development Council (SDC) under Project Ray: Sustainable Streetlight Mission. The first phase of the project was completed on October 22.

The hamlet, located near Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, has pathways and access routes along which residents face difficulties moving after dark, particularly in areas frequented by wild animals. The new lights have been installed at village entry and exit points, pedestrian routes, pathways used by schoolchildren and areas adjoining forest boundaries.

As part of the initiative, students of C.K. College of Engineering and Technology also trained local tribal schoolchildren to assemble solar study lamps using do-it-yourself kits. The children were given the lamps to support their evening studies.

Seerakku, the environment and sustainability unit of SDC, coordinated the implementation. The project also envisages training local youth and residents in basic maintenance of the streetlights and reporting technical issues.