Around 80% of the population lives in rural areas which primarily utilize biomass for their energy requirement. Depending on the agroclimatic zone by diversity and plant productivity the biomass utilization varies in different parts of the country. A large number of laticiferous plants have been reported to yield hydrocarbons which could be converted into petroleum like substances. Initially E. abyssinica J.F. Gmel. Was used by French in Morocco and Italians in Ethiopia. Subsequently, a systematic search was made for renewable sources of liquid fuel. United States Department of Agriculture carried out major surveys in the Northern Regional Research Centre, Western United States, Southern Great Plains and other parts of USA. The present paper describes the use of various biofuel sources in the rural areas of India.
