Environmental research

Blacksmiths, locally known as Kami, are marginalized and disadvantaged occupational caste, but they are renowned for their handicraft work in making iron equipments. Blacksmiths are therefore named after their traditional works and occupation. In the rural areas of Nepal, most of the agricultural equipments such as plough, small spade, spade and sickle are supplied by these blacksmiths and this is the main source of income for their livelihoods. In the context of Sindhupalchowk (project) district, there are around 4080 households of blacksmiths (DDC report, 1999) who are basically dependent on their traditional profession of making agricultural iron equipments. They, on the other hand are practicing same old conventional charcoal making, which they have learned from their forefathers. Study conducted by Livelihood and Forestry Programme (LFP) and Nepal Swiss Community Forestry Programme (NSCFP), revealed that the process is very energy intensive and around 60% energy lost has been observed during conventional charcoal making. It was also observed that to produce 10kg of charcoal, 50kg fuelwood was required. During the process, generally young full grown forest trees are felled, causing negative consequences in forest and bio-diversity. The project aims to improve the charcoal making process by introducing pit kiln method which reduces the fuelwood consumption upto 40%. Likewise, the project also aims to provide Blacksmith the Anvil Smithy Tool Kits which would help improve their working efficiency.

Nepal