Developing countries are searching for alternate energy options which promote sustainable development and equity. Modernized bioenergy is shown as an option with potential to meet the rural needs of a large populous country like India, along with significant social, environmental, and economic benefits such as carbon-emission reduction and the promotion of biodiversity. This text uses India as a case study for biomass, energy and environment, which postgraduates and professionals in environmental sciences and energy development planning can use as a model for analyzing the potential for biomass energy for other developing countries.