Background: Agricultural soils contribute towards the emission of CH 4 (mainly from paddy fields) and N 2 O (from N-fertilizer application), the two important greenhouse gases causing global warming. Most studies had developed the inventories of CH 4 and N 2 O emission at the country level (larger scale) for India, but not many studies are available at the local scale (e.g. district level) on these greenhouse gases (GHGs). Assam is an important state in the North Eastern region of India. In addition to being the regional economic hub for the entire region, agriculture is the major contributor to the state's gross domestic product. In Assam about three-fourths of the area is under paddy cultivation and rice is the staple food. With this background, a district wise inventory of CH 4 and N 2 O emission in the North Eastern state of Assam, India was carried out using different emission factors, viz., IPCC, Indian factors and others, to highlight the discrepancies that arose in the emission estimation of these important GHGs while used at the smaller scale i.e. district level. This study emphasizes the need for better methodologies at the local level for GHGs inventories. This study also reiterates the fact that no emission factor is universally applicable across all regions. The GHGs like CH 4 and N 2 O are highly site and crop specific and the factors required for their inventory are driven by cultural practices, agronomic management, soil resources and socio-economic drivers. Conclusions: This study is the first report on the estimation of the GHG emission at the district level from the entire state of Assam, agriculturally one very important state of North Eastern India. This state is also considered as remote due to its geographical location. The study clearly elucidates that there is large variation in the emission inventory of CH 4 and N 2 O at the district level (local scale) when different emission factors are used. This calls for detailed and comprehensive data collection and mapping at the micro level for accurate inventory of greenhouse gases in future from agriculture fields.

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Renewable Energy Development Cooperative (REDCO) Ltd was primarily involved in the production of electricity from a solar photovoltaic plant and its distribution to ten hamlets of Durbuk. Earlier, a diesel generator set was used for electricity production and was distributed by the state electricity board, which was irregular and not dependable. With the inception of the cooperative, regular supply of electricity to the hamlets had been made which helped the cooperative in gaining people's faith. However, for Dorges Tstanzin and the board members of the cooperative, the uneven financial position remained a major concern since the establishment. Money had been 'pump primed' from other activities to maintain the normal functioning of the cooperative. Against this backdrop, the cooperative had limited options to promote handicraft and ecotourism-based activities for revenue generation in Durbuk. This compelled Dorges to ponder over the situation about how to formalize new plans and strategies for entering into these new fields for achieving long-term organizational and financial sustainability of the cooperative.