Environmental research

Nepal has been classified in United Nation Environment Programme (UNEP) as the highest risk zone in Asia in terms of the ecological crisis. The root cause of this crisis is poverty compounded by growing populations (NTNC). This is more evident in Siraha district where the population growth rate is 2.25%, highest in the Tarai (CBS, 2001). Naturally the impact fells on forest resources which are depleting in alarming rate. The situation has been furthered aggravated by uncontrolled grazing, encroachment of forest for agricultural expansion, over-harvesting of forest for firewood for households. Consequently, it has deep impact the lifestyle of Danuwar/Tharu The people of that region are using energy, mostly for cooking and heating. This demand is met through the combustion of firewood (75 per cent) and agricultural residues and dung (20 per cent). The high demand for firewood has depleted forestry reserves, resulting in problems such as soil degradation, erosion, landslides and flooding which is crucial problem to be addressed as far as possible. The annual deforestation rate at 1.7%, therefore firewood, a scarce resource. Rural women often spend at least 3-hours a day to collect firewood. That means most of the productive times of the family are investing in collection of firewood, animal dung, crop residue and have not sufficient time to carry out income generation activities. Most the beneficiaries haven`t sufficient cows to supply enough dung to feed the digester and they have no access to loan to purchase additional cows. So, we have to take into consideration to main the tree cover in and around the Churia region which is exposing in vulnerable conditions in the future. The use of animal dung as fuelwood results decrease in agriculture production and creates highly smoky environment. The smoke generates by using fuelwood and animal dung caused the incidence of several health issues related to respiratory systems. The project aim to impart skill to local women entrepreneur as biogas promoter & nursery raisers and develop model energy village where maximum alternative energy use would be adopted (biogas, improved cook stove, private plantation, etc)

Nepal