Environmental research

The process of traditional medicine production involves drying of raw materials which requires heat from various sources such as fire-wood, charcoal ,fossil fuel and electricity from grid. The burning of these fuels gives out the green house gas which tends to cause climatic variance and successively adversely affects human livelihood. Moreover at present, the use of fossil fuels costs a lot since its price is comparatively high thus tending to make the process financially unviable. In order to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas accumulation and ensure a low production cost ,one of the favourable option is to develop the use of renewable energy especially solar energy in place of burning wood and fossil fuels. Established in 1995, the project aims to fight against the spread of the fatal HIV-aids in northern Thailand. Besides, it also provides services in other areas such as body heating, physical therapy and medicine supply. It is operational in 5 districts of Chiangmai. Project goals or objectives (including GEF problem-area addressed by projects): 1.To use solar heat in the process of producing traditional medicine, substituting fire-wood and charcoal 2.To use solar heat to dry the traditional medicine , substituting electricity and natural gas Activities to be carried out under project: 1.Conducting study tours to projects which are successful in the same activities 2.Preparing sites for and building the followings: -3 solar heaters for community services -3 solar ovens -3 solar driers Project participants and/or beneficiaries: 1.Traditional Physicians Group 2.Tambol Administrative Organizations in the project location 3.Temples in the project location 4.Public Health Office at tambol, district and provincial level Anticipated results of project: 1.The consumption of fire-wood and charcoal is reduced as follows: - Fire-wood: 24 trucks/year/Baht:500/truck = Baht: 12,000: - Charcoal: 2 sites = Baht: 6,000: 2.The consumption of electricity and natural gas is reduced as follows: - Natural gas / year for 3 sites = Baht: 21,600: - Electricity / year for 3 sites = Baht: 21,600:

Thailand