From smoke to smiles in the Himalayas in Nepal

Improved cooking stove user. Credit-Sanjay Chaudhary
From smoke to smiles: The benefits of improved cooking stoves for communities and biodiversity in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
Nepal is known for its rich biodiversity, with diverse ecosystems ranging from tropical forests in the lowlands to alpine regions in the Himalayas. Deforestation is one of the major drivers of biodiversity loss in Nepal. Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (KTWR) lies in the eastern lowlands of Nepal covering 175 km2 and is a home to a variety of flora and fauna, including globally and nationally threatened species. The majority of people living in the buffer zone are poor, and thus are more dependent on the reserve’s natural resources for firewood, thatch grass, timber, fodder, edible plants, handicraft raw materials, and fish. Hence the resource use in and around KTWR is highly unsustainable.
In Nepal, the traditional stoves that are being used are only about 8-10 percent efficient and release emissions with negative impacts on health, especially on women and children who are more confined at home. While women are assigned duties of collecting firewood and animal dung, they travel long distances, exposing themselves to risk from wild animal attacks. This also restricts the time they have for other income generating activities. Firewood and cow dung are the primary sources of cooking fuel for many residents of KTWR which has contributed to the destruction and degradation of forests and other living environments in KTWR.
The socio-economic situations of the local communities intensify the environmental concerns. The Mushar, Malaha, and other Indigenous tribes make up the majority of the population, which is marginalised and economically poor. These communities are frequently characterised by high levels of poverty, limited access to education and healthcare, and reliance on natural resources for basic necessities.
Bird Conservation Nepal has been implementing a project entitled "Sustainable Management of Wetlands and Grasslands: Enhancing Biodiversity and Livelihoods" in KTWR since 2022. The project aims to reduce the pressure on KTWR's natural resources and mitigate threats to threatened bird species through regular monitoring of bird populations and threats, promoting sustainable use of natural resources, and improving the management and restoration of wetlands and grasslands. Engaging local communities in diverse livelihood schemes, such as providing fish ponds to those who depend solely on fishing, will be a key strategy. Additionally, raising awareness, advocating, and providing training on sustainable harvesting practices will further contribute to the conservation of threatened birds. By consistently monitoring threats within KTWR, the project seeks to ensure the sustainable use of natural resources, alleviate pressure on aquatic and grassland ecosystems, and support the survival of threatened bird species.
The project has supported 600 households within the Buffer Zone (Purba Pipra Dharampur Ghoghanpur and Madhuban area) of KTWR with the improved cooking stoves (ICS). These stoves mark a huge step forward in energy efficiency, reducing fuel consumption as well as smoke emissions and pressure on the reserve's natural resources. Local communities are likely to benefit from these stoves in many other ways in addition to the health benefit from less smoke, such as cost savings, less deforestation, and more time for educational and economic activities.
"We've seen the benefits of improved cooking stoves firsthand," says Mr Jayakant Chaudhary, President of the Purba Pipra Dharampur Ghoghanpur Buffer Zone User Committee. "These stoves not only improve cooking efficiency, but also reduce the amount of time spent gathering firewood. Now, users in the buffer zone can devote this extra time on other productive things that improve their quality of life."
A recent household survey carried out in 50 households of Purba Pipra Dharampur and Ghoghanpur buffer zone area reveals that the introduction of ICS is bringing long-term benefits to the communities around KTWR. It has reduced the collection of firewood thus being helpful in the conservation of the natural resources. These stoves have minimised the period that is taken in the search of firewood from almost 15 hours per week to just over 10 hours per week, hence saving the time of the local women. The time saved from collecting firewood is also alleviating the burden on women and children who are the main firewood collectors in the local communities, allowing them time to engage in productive and economic activities, taking time to rest as well as reducing their vulnerability to the dangers from wild animals.
The stoves installed are more energy efficient and have lowered fuel utilisation by 17.8 % (139.9 Bhari (1 Bhari = 50 kg) per year from 170.22 Bhari per household). This reduction in annual consumption has not only promoted the sustainable utilisation of resources in the buffer zone area of KTWR, but also has enhanced the quality of life for people living there. Following the installation of ICS, the money spent by the household annually on cooking fuel dropped by over 36%. The reduction in annual cooking fuel costs brings considerable financial relief to households, allowing them to channel savings toward vital necessities such as health care, education, and enhancing overall economic stability and quality of life.
Likewise, every household reported perceiving better air quality and reduced concentration of indoor smoke after installation, thus, they reduced vulnerability to respiratory ailments. As for the future prospects of this project, its successful outcomes may present the model for the other regions experiencing the same issues. Having observed positive effects of ICS on health, environment and the local economies there is justification for using improved cooking stoves in the achievement of sustainable development.
The introduction of ICS in KTWR highlights a vital lesson: it showed that integrating sustainable practices into daily life could have a substantial impact on both environmental health and human well-being. This initiative shows how even little changes in technology may have far-reaching consequences for both the environment and the lives of those who rely on it.
Written by Khadananda Paudel, Aavas Pradhan and Sanjay Chaudhary. For more information on this Darwin Initiative Main project 29-017, led by Bird Conservation Nepal, please click here.