PUNE: Around 500 tribal families, who are living in the forest area of Bhimashankar, will finally have their houses lit as the Science and Technology Park, University of Pune, along with New India Insurance Company Ltd, distributed two Saci-tech Surya Solar bulbs each to these families, on Sunday.

These tribal families living inside the wildlife sanctuary in Bhimashankar had been deprived of electricity, as the area is under the protected forest area. The Science and Technology Park has started this ambitious project to provide solar lights to those living in tribal villages that do not have access to electricity.

“We have given bulbs to 500 families residing in seven tribal villages. Before this, in 2016, solar bulbs were distributed to around 250 families under the CSR activity by New India Insurance Company Ltd,” Dr Rajendra Jagdale, Director General, Science and Technology Park, said.

Mhatarbachi Vadi, Gavande Vadi, Pimpargane, Dhage Vadi, Padar Vadi, Gothe Vadi and Bhimashankar Gavthan are the villages that were selected for the distribution of solar bulbs.

Features of the Sci-tech Surya Solar Bulbs
For the first time, Lithium Ion batteries have been used in these bulbs, due to which they get fully charged within eight hours. 

The bulbs have 10 hours of backup facility, and if two bulbs are used together, the light can be used for around five to six hours. 

The bulb has a life of around seven years and does not require any kind of maintenance.