Farmers in remote parts of Chhumey Gewog in Bumthang who still use firewood for cooking are being encouraged to switch to cleaner cooking stoves. Some one hundred households in the gewog are given electric cooking stoves at a subsidised rate. The pilot initiative is part of a bigger clean cooking project launched earlier this year by the Horticulture Association of Bhutan in partnership with Planethos Private Limited, a sustainability consulting and climate solutions company based in India.
From cooking to heating homes, firewood remains a part of everyday life for many rural households.
But collecting and burning firewood is time-consuming.
It also exposes households to indoor air pollution and puts pressure on forest resources.
Now, some households in remote parts of Chhumey Gewog have an alternative.Around 100 households in the gewog were given clean electric cooking stoves during the launch of the pilot project aimed at promoting clean cooking.Each stove costs Nu 3,500. Beneficiaries pay Nu 600, while the Horticulture Association of Bhutan and Planethos Private Limited cover the remaining cost.
“Besides benefiting elderly people like us, it will also benefit the environment. With the electric cooker, we will not have to collect firewood,” said Gembo, a resident of Trakar in Chhumey Gewog.
“Firstly, we are unable to collect firewood from the forest as we do not have a male member at home. Even if we own LPG cylinders, refilling is not easy without a vehicle,” added Karma Yangzom, a Gaytsa resident in Chhumey Gewog.
The initiative is not limited to Bumthang.
Another 100 households of Gangtey Gewog in Wangdue Phodrang will also receive electric cooking stoves.
“We cannot imagine how difficult it is when women carry their children on their backs while making a fire for cooking. The smoke can harm both the child and the mother. So, with these electric cookers, we want you to stay away from the smoke and take care of your health,” said Tshering Wangchuk (PhD), the CEO of Horticulture Association of Bhutan.
If the pilot initiative in Bumthang and Wangdue Phodrang proves effective, the project could roll out nationwide.
Horticulture Association of Bhutan and Planethos Private Limited plan to distribute 30 thousand electric cooking stoves to households across the country.
Project officials said the initiative could reduce around 1.2 tonnes of carbon emissions per household annually.
The project complements the government’s efforts to expand clean cooking alternatives and maintain Bhutan’s carbon-negative status.