Choki Gyatsho Institute is a small Buddhist institute in Samdrup Jongkhar Dzongkhag, where wood consumption is very high. The wood is used for almost everything, it is wood is used for cooking, heating, washing, cleaning and taking baths. The institute uses over 168 full grown trees as fuel wood for cooking causing huge biodiversity loss and damage to environment hence accelerating climate change through emission of greenhouse gases. Therefore, there was an urgent need to reduce unsustainable use of fuel wood by initiating other environment friendly and efficient source of energy sources for cooking, waste management to ensure protection of environment. The project ?CC mitigation through reduced use of fuel wood and waste management? was initiated to address the problem. Thus, project objectives were:
i. Reduce use and consumption of fuel food
ii. Prevent land degradation through undertaking initiative in organic vegetable production and plantation
iii. Improve sanitation and provide safe drinking water
iv. Replace unsustainable waste management with more sustainable options
The project sensitized monks and communities around on environmental issues, mitigation measures and how community can contribute in its small way to addressing environmental problems. The old cooking method was replaced by improved electric cooking stoves and solar lighting was installed, which helped in decreasing consumption of fuel wood and emission of CO2. The plantation were done and monks were encouraged in organic vegetable gardens around the institute which will contribute towards preventing soil erosion and slides. The rain water harvesting systems were installed and it has already proven to be useful during water shortages and also, has been useful in reducing water runoff thus, reducing risks of landslides.
The project has brought immense benefit to monks of Chokyi Gyatso Institute and communities living around the institute.