Approach towards Sustainable Fuel Wood Consumption to assist Community Primary Schools in Bhutan with WFP Co-Financing Assistance through the Ministry of Education.
Approach towards Sustainable Fuel Wood Consumption to assist Community Primary Schools in Bhutan with WFP Co-Financing Assistance through the Ministry of Education.
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.
 
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Project Snapshot

Grantee:
Royal Society for the Protection of Nature.
Country:
Bhutan
Area Of Work:
Climate Change Mitigation
Grant Amount:
US$ 50,000.00
Co-Financing Cash:
US$ 56,177.00
Co-Financing in-Kind:
US$ 2,623.00
Project Number:
BHU/OP3/Y1/05/05
Status:
Satisfactorily Completed
Project Characteristics and Results
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)
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.
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Partnership

World Food Programme, Bhutan

SGP Country office contact

Ugyen Lhendup
Email:

Address

UN House, Peling Lam (Street), Kawajangsa, Thimphu, P.O. Box No. 162
Thimphu, Bhutan, 11001