The project ?Biogas and water source protection? is carried out by ?Pemathang Biogas Tshogpa and Phedi Water Source Protection Group? with support from SGP, Bhutan to reduce heavy dependence of communities on forest and emission of CO2 and other GHG emissions.
The benefits from the procurement and installation of electric bulk rice cookers have been tremendous. It has drastically reduced the usage of firewood for community cooking and cooking for the monk bodies. Earlier, the monthly consumption of firewood for the communities and monks during the regular rituals and poojas is approximately two truckloads. Now with the installation of rice cookers, it has drastically come down to approximately 5-6 man loads only per month. It also reduced the conflict among the community with regard to collection of firewood, as it is very difficult to get dry firewood nearby forest. They used to get only two to three backloads in a day.
Further, it has also reduced the smoke related diseases Acute Respiratory Track Infection (ARTI) and red eyes. It has also helped them to cook with better sanitation and hygiene. It also reduced their time in cooking food and more comfortable than cooking on traditional oven. Installation of such items benefits not only the community of Bjabcho village but it has immense benefit to the world. Because it reduces carbon monoxide, which is released from burning of fuelwood.
With the renovation of 2km long irrigation channel, the farmers no longer have to depend on erratic monsoon rainfall. It is now estimated that the irrigation channel can now irrigate about additional 25 acres of paddy field.
Finally, the plantation of approximately 4000 trees were done in area of five hectares including plantation and protection of critical watershed areas. The tree species planted in this area are mostly of Cypress, Blue pine and some other trees species like walnut, champ and castanopsis. These activities will not only protect the critical water shed but it has grater advantages for the famers of Bjabcho village for timber, fuel wood and NWFP like walnut thereby enhancing the livelihood of the communities.