Approach towards Sustainable Fuel Wood Consumption to assist Community Primary Schools in Bhutan with WFP Co-Financing Assistance through the Ministry of Education. (BHU/OP3/Y1/05/05)
Project Details & Results
Bhutan's per capita fuel wood consumption is relatively high compared to that of neighbouring countries. Fuelwood continues to be the main source of energy for lighting, heating and cooking in the rural areas of Bhutan. Considering the tremendous value of the forests in Bhutan, the Royal Government of Bhutan has given top priority for the protection of our forests and developed a Policy of 60% of the country under forest covers for all time to come.
The importance of forests is also reflected in one of the RSPN's goals - "Conserve endangered species outside the protected areas system" (Strategic Plan 2004). A list of 37 community primary/lower schools have been identified by the Ministry of Education as priority schools for 2005 in need of improved fuel-efficient stoves to be assisted by SGP and WFP in Bhutan. The schools have been using traditional open cooking stoves which are very firewood inefficient and it is noticed that a large amount of fire wood is consumed every day. Some schools have contractors supplying the firewood whereas in some schools parents contribute firewood and the only source of firewood is the nearby forest. Therefore, collectively the deforestation impact is quite high and if it continues to be a common practice, it will be an obstacle for the nation to meet its noble goal of maintaining 60% of its area under forest cover.
Therefore, the primary objective of the project was to:
1. Reduce the use of firewood by the schools by replacing the traditional open ovens with fuelwood efficient stoves;
2. To create healthy and clean environment in the schools and;
3. Bring about awareneww amongst the students and parents on the implication of conservation of local resources.
Improved stoves known as the 'Althaus' have been installed in 20 schools in total. The monitoring and inspection visit was conducted in each school to ensure proper installation of the stoves and provide guidance on the use of the stoves. Along with the monitoring visit, an awareness program for the nearby community was conducted to brief them about the purpose of the stove project and the benefit it has to the school, community and to the nation at large. Discussion on the prevailing global and local environmental issues and their consequences and some of the conservation policies of the government were also discussed. The visit was jointly done by the Dzongkhag Education Officers and RSPN officialls.
At the end of the project, a total of 21 schools were benefitted, the additional one being the 'Wamrong Lower Secondary School' in Trashigang which was provided within the approved budget. 300 students and 115 students as boarders has been benefitted.
Notable Community Participation
Community participation is very crucial for the success of the project. The community as a co-financer to the project is expected that respective school shall be responsible to transport all the required materials for the installation of fuel wood efficient stoves from the Dzongkhag Head quarter to their respective schools and help the masons while installing the improved stoves.
Capacity - Building Component
The capacity of community primary and lower secondary schools would be strengthened throug the government with the support from World Food Program (WFP). WFP has introduced facility not only provides feeding for children but also add nutrients in their diets. The GEF Small Grants programme would enhance this facility by providing fuel-efficient, user-friendly improved stoves and making a congenial environment in schools for the benefit of the rural children to study.
Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods
With the installation of fuel wood efficient stoves, the firewood consumption will be reduced. And the reduction of firewood would definitely reduce the drudgery of the parents who has to contribute firewood for the school. The time saved can be focused to be utilized for other productive work that would increase their income and gradually the standard of living. With the reduction of forest deforestation, the watershed/s in the locality will be maintained and soil erosion will be controlled. Although at a micro level, the fossil fuel burning will be reduced and thereby reducing the greenhouse gas emission leading to global warming.
The fuel efficient stoves are also expected to consume all the heat produced because of its structure, thus reducing the time for cooking. The stove also has the provision of smoke outlet and therefore, very less smoke is emitted around the kitchen improving the working environment in the kitchen and thus, reduces the health risks of the cooks. Besides, proper hygiene can also be maintained in the kitchen room with the use of such stoves.
Gender Focus
The benefit would trickle down to both boys and girls in the school. The benefit would be more for girls as otherwise, they would be involved in collecting firewood from the forest which is a tedious job for them.
Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples
As the project covers 37 Community primary and lower secondary schools, there will be a significant participation of the indigenous people from Eastern and Central Dzongkhags (district)
Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment
One of the project activity 'Environment Awareness Programme' in all the schools, is to create awareness about the GEF Small Grants Programme. All students and parents will be participating in the workshop.
Policy Impact
The Royal Government of Bhutan (RGOB) has given top priority for the protection of Bhutan's forest and developed a Policy of maintaining 60% of the country under forest cover (National Forest Policy 1974) for all time to come. The importance of forest is also reflected in one of the RSPN's goals - "Conserve endangered species outside the protected areas system" (Strategic Plan 2004). As forest protection has become very essential in Bhutan and hence this project would further help conserve the natural forest of Bhutan.
Inovative Financial Mechanisms
The community as a co-financer to the project, it is expected that respective school shall be responsible to transport all the required materials for the installation of the fuel wood efficient stoves from the Dzongkhag Head Quarter to their respective schools and help masons while installation of the stoves. Thus, local community would be contributing in kind.
Project Results
Results:
1. 21 Community Primary Schools has 'improved stoves' instead of 20 schools as marked in the proposal;
2. 623 parents and local residents have been educated on the environmental conservation issues and its consequenses if not protected;
3. 2,264 school students (out of 17 schools, two schools' student data has been left out) are the beneficiary of the project;
4. Community students have been educated on the use of alternative stoves with multiple benefits as well as they have been informed about the local area conservation as they are rich with abundant conifer forest, wetlands, huge valley, endangered birds, the national park and it is their duty to support the conservation efforts of the government.
OUTCOME 2: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION
Upscaling of SGP's efforts on Fuel Efficient technology for biomass-based initiatives through GEF MSP is also in the pipeline. An Analysis report on the Fuel Efficient Stoves in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP) has been a highlight of year 2007.
Project Photo Gallery
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Althaus Stoves
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Stove demonstration
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Firewood
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Brief on project objectives and environmental conservation
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Improved stove - user friendly
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Community Primary School
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school children
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fuel efficient stove
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operation briefing to the community
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Lunch Time
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awareness creation on sustainable fuel wood management
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