June 10, 2018
Three projects of the Unica Foundation, mud brick-based improved cooking stoves (ICS) in Ghachowk, and metallic-based improved cooking stoves in Posi-Perkeu and Sildajure have been completed recently in the Kaski district. The Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) Kaski is a lead partner organization to carry out the ICS projects in the Kaski district for a long time. The projects run parallel together for 8 month, during the period from 1 September 2017 to 30 April 2018.
The government of Nepal intends to declare air pollution-free land by 2022 as an objective to support the sustainable development goal. In the rural and hilly region of Nepal, cooking on firewood is widespread. Houses in the community have narrow ventilation with fewer windows. Mudstone houses contain traditional kitchen without proper cooking facilities. These results in smoke pollution and health risks such as asthma, acute respiratory infection (ARI), eye and skin problems. On the other hand, it also result to deforestation. In addition, parents don’t have enough time to take care of the children because of searching for firewood and other household chores. Taking these facts into account, an initiation was made with the rural community in Kaski with Improved Cooking Stove Installation Project. Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC), a government institution established in 1996 with the objective of developing and promoting renewable/alternative energy technologies in Nepal, has recommended mud-brick based ICS for below 1,500 meters altitude and metallic-based ICS for the altitude of 1,500 meters and above.
The project implements community positioning as an important stakeholder to secure ownership and accountability towards the ICS, including capacity building training for the oven installation, repair and maintenance as well as monitoring and follow-up of the activities. The community has a positive social acceptance for the intended program and its activities.
Mud-brick ICS Ghachowk
In total, 94 households get the benefits of an improved Mud brick stove.
Metallic ICS in Posu-perkeu
34 households benefit from metallic improved cooking stoves.
Metallic ICS in Sildajure
139 household benefited by Metal improved cooking stoves.
With these three sites, the Unica Foundation has completed serving 10 villages in Kaski district with the ICS project.
