Environmental research

The project sought to address some of the environmental and health related problems faced by the rural communities of Tsirang Dzongkhag such as: unsustainable extraction of fuelwood leading to destruction of natural forests and smoke related diseases particularly on women and children. This project is categorized as one of the best GEF/SGP projects in Bhutan. The project demonstrated tangible community development and conservation benefits, strong community committment, very good potential for sustainability (as the stoves are cleaned and repaired at regular intervals), high level of cost efficiency and solid link to improvement of the global environment in climate change. The capacity component of the project has been the thrust of the project and this feature has been realized through trainings that was received by every households in Tsirang. That is not all, the capacity building has been passed on to the new trainers whenever the old trainer has been transfered out of the district or for other reasons. This way a chain has been built and an increased number of house holds are interested to install the improved stoves. Secondly, the project has been successful because the CBOs are encouraged to have CB component as one of the activities in SGP funded projects. Besides achieving the objective of reducing fuel wood consumption by 50%, there are other social benefits which are equally profound with a cleaner kitchen and utensils, ability to keep the food warm longer and the reduced risks of smoke-related illnesses. The technology involved was low cost and simple, making it easier for the local people to adopt it.

Bhutan