Impact of Improved Cooking Stoves on Rural Livelihoods: A Case Study of Siwalik Area of Chulachuli VDC in Ilam District

Abstract

The study was carried out in Chulachuli Village Development Committee (VDC) of Ilam district. For this study, Improved Cooking Stoves (ICS) installed households were selected purposively including both men and women. The study covers all nine wards of Chulachuli VDC. Although IUCN started promotion of alternative energy program in early 2001, it has reached only 90 households in the VDC which is about 3 percent of the total households of the VDC. The study was based on primary as well as secondary sources of information. The secondary information was collected from previous research, journals, publications and related materials of ICS. The research technique included household survey, interview with key informants and field observation. A total of 90 respondents were selected and of which 50 percent respondents were female and 50 percent were male. Average household size of the respondent was 6 and most of the respondents were Hindu. Majority of the respondents were janajatis. Literacy rate of the respondents was fairly satisfactory; however, male literacy is seen higher than of women. Mostly people of Chulachuli VDC are engaged in agriculture but the majority of them have food sufficient for 3 months to 6 months. A large population of the respondent has income of less than Rs. 1000.00. The people of Chulachuli VDC has accepted Improved cook stoves. Majority of them have been using 2 holes type since 2-3 years. The staffs of the organizations were seen as main motivators to construct ICS in Chulachuli. Most of the respondents said that maintenance was not required since the installation of ICS.

Impact of ICS is visible in Chulachuli VDC. It has been able to save about 14.79 kg fuel wood per month that costs about Rs.45. The quantity is bit higher than of national figure, however, this could be justified that majority of the Janajatis are residing in the study area and higher rate of fuel wood is consumed to make "raksi", home made wine and animal feed. Time is also saved from improved cooking stoves. The average time saved during cooking was 0.44 hour compared to the traditional stoves. The ICS also helped to reduce frequency of fuel wood collection since the fuel wood consumption has reduced. The health problems were reduced resulting less medical expenses. Reduction in fuel wood collection, illegal tree felling and decreased in fire wood sale and forest was seen more densed in Ilam Siwaliks. The pots do not get black due to smoke and takes less time to clean. Thus, the impact of the ICS is seen positive in Chulachuli VDC.