London : The  prestigious Green Oscar Award has been conferred on  the Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project , a micro finance provider  that helps poor people in rural areas to invest in renewable sources of energy. Dr D Veerendra Heggade, Chairman of SKDRDP and Dharmadhikari of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala received the award from   Dr Kandeh Yumkella, Director General, UNIDO and chair of UN – Energy, a global crusader for increasing access to energy for the poor at a function held on May 30, Wednesday at the Royal Geographical Society here.

Speaking after receiving the Award, Dr Heggade said the Scheme was started 29 years ago and  added the prestigious award has further increased the responsibility of the project.

The Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project  has provided  small loans  to  about 18 lakh families through 1,69,000 self help groups, thereby encouraging rural development.

SKDRDP has bagged two awards of  Ashden Sustainable Solutions. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 34.80 lakh (40,000 pounds) and a citation.