Environmental research

Problem Statement The communities living in this part of the district are faced with very few options of economic activities. The area is prone to frequent crop failures due to the poor climatic conditions caused by extensive destruction of forests which has subsequently destroyed all the water catchment areas. In addition the condition is made worse due to continuous cutting of trees for either charcoal or firewood. Charcoal and firewood form the biggest source of fuel for cooking in this area. The two sources of fuel (firewood and charcoal) are environmental hazards in that they pollute the environment through fumes/smoke and gases. There is therefore the need for alternative sources of energy that will be able to address the above problems. This project seeks to reclaim the tree cover along the relevant water catchment areas and encourage the community use alternative sources of energy. Primary Objectives The over all objective of the project is to reduce loss of tree/vegetation cover and pollution through the use of improved technologies that will use coconut waste as a source of fuel. Moreover the project also aims at reclaiming river banks through tree planting. Specifically the project is aimed at achieving the following objectives:- 1. To advocate for the use of coconut waste as a source of fuel for cooking in place of firewood. 2. To introduce energy saving stoves technology and sensitize the community on its benefits with regards to environmental conservation and health aspects 3. BICODE will improve the economic status of the community by buying the coconut waste from them which was otherwise was being thrown away. 4. To produce and promote use of coconut waste briquettes as source of fuel in Kenya. 5. To reclaim river banks through tree planting Specific results: At least 200 families using energy saving cook stove technology in the project area. At least 100 families getting income from sell of coconut waste for briquette making BICODE getting enough income from the sell of charcoal briquettes to sustain the business At least 4 rows of trees will have been planted along each side of eight streams (Muleji, Ribe, Ngome, Kombeni, Jibana, Mwatsuma, Mbuzini, Tsongoni) At least 2 people directly employed by the project. At least 4 local artisans trained on fabrication of gasfier cook stoves At least one briquette making machine installed and operational.

Kenya