Environmental research

The primary source of energy in Chak Pansial and surrounding villages is fuelwood, which is used for cooking throughout the year and for heating for three months from November to February. Fuelwood is mostly collected from people`s own lands, and only a few people need to buy it. However, in the last decade or so, fuelwood supplies have seriously depleted, and it is becoming apparent that more and more families will have to resort to buying fuelwood or other heating fuels in the future. The cost of fuelwood in the area is currently about Rs. 60 a maund, depending on the season, the type of wood etc. Local use estimates suggest that one maund of fuelwood lasts for barely 2 to 3 days in winter. In summer, fuelwood is used only for cooking and one maund of wood can last up to a week. Fuelwood collection is primarily carried out by the women of the household, and is a time consuming job, with one woman spending on an average 15 hours a week on fuelwood collection in summer, and more in the three winter months. The stoves used in the households are generally of an open design, which are inefficient in terms of fuel utilization and also have significant health effects for the women who use them in close proximity for up to five hours a day. In winter, when the stoves are used inside closed rooms, the health effects may be even more significant and are manifested in respiratory diseases, skin infections and eye diseases. With the consumption of biomass fuels already estimated to be at unsustainable levels, the expected increase in the demand for energy makes it increasingly necessary to disseminate information regarding energy conservation methods to the domestic and commercial consumers. This transition period preceding increased rural electrification and the rationalization of energy prices is also the right time to start the process of introducing domestic consumers to energy efficient and renewable energy technologies. As demand side energy conservation measures are likely to take effect after a lag, it is all the more necessary to demonstrate their effectiveness as well in advance of an anticipated energy crisis as possible. The project will consist of the dissemination of fuel efficient and smokeless cooking devices in the community. This component of the project will cover the Chak Pansial village as well as seven surrounding villages in which the NGO has been active.

Pakistan