Though the move is very much essential for improving the health of women and children, the target is obviously hard to achieve.[break]
“The target can be met within the timeframe. It will have a direct social, environmental, economic and most importantly health benefits, particularly, in the context of people living in the rural areas,” said Dr Govinda Raj Pokhrel, executive director of Alternative Energy Promotion Center. “They have been using firewood as fuel which produces thick smoke affects their health.”
“With improved stoves, a household can do with half the firewood they now use to cook and it works without releasing smoke. In addition, we have a huge support from donors for this project,” he said.
Pokhrel further informed that AEPC has already started working in the direction. “We have already held several rounds of meeting with stakeholders,” he said.
Resha Piya, senior energy officer at AEPC, maintained that improved stoves would also greatly reduce rural women´s workload as they have to go to fetch firewood less frequently.
“Our studies have shown that women spend hours in search of firewood. With improved stoves, half of their time would be saved. The stoves will also contribute in reducing the cases of uterus prolapse and backache among women to a huge extent,” she said.
“On the other hand, the project could generate employment for a number of people in villages if they learn how to make the stoves, training for which would be provided by AEPC,” Piya added.
According to senior cardiologist Dr Mrigendra Raj Pandey, the smoke released during traditional cooking cause bronchitis and other heart related disease.
“Smokeless stoves are vital to improve the health of women, children and others in rural areas,” he maintains.
Meanwhile, talking to Republica, chief secretary Lilamani Poudel said that the dream of smoke-free kitchen countrywide is indeed a common dream and the government would bring suitable policies to carry out the project.
So far, AEPC, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, has distributed 650,000 improved cooking stoves.
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