indicates that although majority (66%) of the households use animal dung as fertilizer, about 26% use it both as fuel and fertilizer. About 5% of the households use dung as fuel at home and 2% sell it for income generation and use as fuel and fertilizer.

Fig: Ch 23 gives the distribution of households in the study area according to ownership of cattle. It is observed that 33% of the households didn’t own any cattle (cows, goats or buffalos), however, 17% owned 5 or more than 5 heads of cattle. Only this particular group may able to install biogas plant from the point of view of daily availability of dung to run a family

size biogas plant. Since these are the better off families, it might be worthwhile to convince them into investing in such an environment friendly solution for both energy and fertilizer needs, in addition to the benefit of cleaner environment.

2.3 Socio-Economic Information (Teknaf) : The survey results and visits to the Chunuti and Teknaf area have shown that there is no significant difference between the socio-economic and other economic behaviour such as energy use pattern of the residents. The results of the survey are therefore given here as charts only without repeating the discussions.

 

2.4 Fuel Related Information: (Teknaf)

Biogas as an alternative source of household energy

 

B. Wood Collection As An Occupation

Two types of wood collection processes were observed within the survey areas. The first one includes those who collect wood for their own needs. These people mostly collect the regenerative part of the trees. This collection process takes place on a daily basis. Their collection probably does not affect deforestation. On the other hand, the second group collects wood for commercial reasons. They are the illegal fellers who gather both the timber and all other parts of the trees. They are the main contributors to deforestation. As the wood collection from reserve forest is an illegal act, it is done covertly, and thus it is not possible to identify the exact number of people involved in wood collection. Considering the impact of wood collection process on deforestation and their importance in any program for sustainable management of forest, 15 persons involved in wood collection were identified and some information was gathered from them.

2.5.1 Wood collection is an occupation

The study area in Chunuti and Teknaf are part of a tropical evergreen forest standing for hundreds of years. People have harvested these resources over the years allowing natural regrowth. This was an important income generating activity for the local people all along It is within the last 20 years that the present unsustainable rate of deforestation started. 

Fig: W.1 shows that majority of the wood collectors interviewed are engaged in this activity for more than 10 years. In fact none of them started this occupation within the last 5 years indicating that during these years there were not many trees left in the forest for people to start a living.

Fig: W.2 gives the reasons cited for selecting wood gathering as an employment/business. Some of the interviewees seemed to

suffer from a guilty conscience because of their illegal actions. But lack of employment opportunity forced them to continue. 93% of the wood collectors reported lack of employment as the reason for their involvement. 47% admitted that they chose this occupation also because of high earning possibility. 7% thought this was an easy work to do.

 

2.5.2 Type of wood collected from the forest

The wood collected from the sanctuary and reserve forests are used mainly for two purposes,

i.e. as timber for construction and furniture, and for fuel. Fig: W.3 shows that 66% of the respondents reported that they collect both timber and fuel wood. 7% collect only timber wood and 27% collect only fuel wood. Actually a collector attempts to maximize his income through the collection process. It is known

80 60 40 20 0

% of wood fuel

Fuel w ood Timber w ood Both

collector

Types of w ood

from experience that timber wood is more valuable than fuel wood. So a collector would prefer to collect more timber wood than fuel wood to maximize his income. But the collection of timber wood involves felling of standing trees and it is more visible to the forest department and the society at large. The collection of timber wood is also constrained by the availability of mature trees. The forest department

% of fuel wood collector

often ignores collection of fuel wood from forest on head load basis. So in this context, the collectors enter into the forest with the objective of collecting whatever they can collect. Probably this is why the majority of the respondents reported to have collected both the fuel wood and timber wood.

 

2.5.3 Economics of wood collection

It was observed during the survey that the usual weight of a head load of fuel wood is about 20 to 25

40 30 20 10

0 1-50 51-100 101-150 151-200

Quantity(K.G)

kg. Depending

upon

availability, it takes about 3 to 4 hours to gather a head load of fuel wood. Fig: W.4 shows the typical quantity of fuel wood collected per day. If a person collects more than 2 head loads of fuel wood per day, he has to use a transporter for carrying them. So, in Fig: W.4, 73% of the collectors who collect more than 2 head loads i.e. more than 50 kg of fuel wood, probably engage vans to carry them.

Fig: W5 shows the distribution of monthly income of wood collectors. The average income is Tk.3,200. Thus it is seen that this activity can a earn enough for a family to stay at least above the poverty line. On the basis of wholesale price of Tk.1.50 per kg, the amount of wood collected by each of the groups shown in Fig. W5 are estimated to be 40-55 kg, 55-67 kg, 67-100kg, and over 100 kg per trip.

 

2.5.4 Seasonal variation in collection

For the convenience of gathering and drying, it is preferable to collect fuel wood in the dry season and 80% of the fuel wood is reported to be collected during that period. The remaining is collected in the rainy season. Since it is not essential to dry timber wood, 46% of the respondents reported its collection in rainy season and 27% of respondent in dry season. Fig: W.6 gives the preferred collection season for valuable wood.

2.5.5

Willingness to stop wood collection

When explained the negative effects of wood collection on the environment, 87% of the respondents expressed their willingness to stop wood collection since it is illegal as well as very hard work. The question then arises about the alternative source of income. As far as the collectors are concerned, this is their main source of income. So their worry is about earning their livelihood. As shown in Fig: W.7, when

asked about possibility of other occupations if wood collection is not allowed, 53% replied that they could work as day laborers, 13% could take up fishing, 7% could be employed in farming and 27% did not have any answer other than unemployment.

Chunuti Wild Life Sanctuary (WS)
seen from the Watch Tower

 

 

Denuded Wild Life Sanctuary

 

A young boy collecting biomass from the WS

 

Bamboo Stick Collected from WS

 

Rice
cultivation
inside WS

 

Betel Leaf Plantation in WS

 

Burned vegetation to make way for cultivation

 

Focus Group Discussion at Teknaf

 

Focus Group Discussion at Chunuti

 

Participatory garden in Chunuti

 

Cowdung Seller

 

Wood being collected for brick field

 

Loading of wood into Brick Kiln

 

Reserve of Wood in Brick Field

 

 

A tree dying in project area

 

Briquettes for sale in Lohagora

 

Briquette Making Machine

 

C. Commercial Units Using Cooking Fuel:

Two types of commercial units were surveyed in Chunuti and Teknaf to estimate their energy use pattern. These were 21 tea stalls and 1 hotel. These are the two main types of establishments using fuel for cooking in these areas. The tea stalls serve mainly tea and snacks, while the hotel serves full meals (rice, curry etc). In both types of commercial units, as there is an opportunity to pass on the fuel cost directly to the consumer, they mainly purchase appropriate types of fuels from the market. As shown in Fig: Com1, about 89% of the surveyed commercial units purchased fuel wood and the others collected it from the local area.

Fig. Com 2 shows that commercial units use both fuel wood and kerosene to meet their energy needs. Out of the 22 surveyed units, 32% reported use of fuel wood, 18% used kerosene and 50% used both fuel wood and kerosene. The choice depends on the convenience of the owner. Kerosene is more convenient than fuel wood from the point of view of starting a new fire. Because of that majority of commercial units reported using kerosene at the beginning of the day. In case of fuel wood, it takes time to ignite and generates smoke during burning. It also takes time to warm up the mud stove by burning fuel wood and it needs periodic cleaning of ash from the stove. For all these reasons, when there is a need of heavy heat load for longer duration, the users prefer to use wood stove. On the other hand, when the demand of heat load is intermittent and low to medium heat load is required, it is economical to use kerosene stove.

Fig. Com3 shows the expenditure made by commercial units on cooking fuel. On average the tea stalls spend 25 kg of firewood per day @ Tk.2/kg, and 3 ltr. of kerosene per day @ Tk.26 per ltr.

Depending on the nature of demand, owners of commercial units select the type and number of stoves in the commercial units. The choice of burners and their numbers depend on the business opportunities. Fig.Com 4 indicates that out of the 22 commercial units, 82% used one burner, 14% used two burners, 14% used three burner wood stoves and 68% used one burner kerosene stove. Actual use and number of stoves depend on business transactions.

D. Use Of Fuel Wood In Brick Fields:

Brick making is an energy intensive industry and consumes large quantities of fuel wood. It is a well-known fact that brick burning with fuel wood contributes to deforestation. The Government of Bangladesh enacted the Brick Burning (control) law in 1989 to ban the use of fuel wood for burning of bricks. A copy of the Act has been given at Annex-3. Even with the existence of such an act, because of easy availability of fuel wood in comparison to coal in many rural locations and lack of enforcement, brick industry owners continue to use fuel wood. In addition to contributing to deforestation, the brickfields in Chunuti and Teknaf areas are also cutting down hills for the earth required for brick making. Thus these are having a significant negative impact on the local environment. It may be mentioned that according to The Building Construction Act of 1952, cutting of hills is illegal. 

Since the owners of the brickfields usually belong to the powerful sections of the society, it was a sensitive issue for the study team to discuss with others and get information on actual use of fuel wood for brick industries. In Chunuti 5 brickfields out of 15 were surveyed and 1 out of 6 were surveyed in Teknaf. It was possible to obtain some information on field operations but data on amount of wood fuel or coal used could not be verified. Wherever the research team was doubtful about the authenticity of data, results obtained from previous surveys carried out in the country have been used. 

Industrial Operations:

Brick making is a seasonal industry. To take advantage of sun drying, brick industries operate during dry season (November to April). In specific locations operation of brickfields may vary from 4 to 5 months. Seasonal labors are hired to carry out various operations of brick industries such as extraction of clay, mixing of clay, molding, drying, burning, cooling, stacking and loading. Among different groups of labors, the person in charge of managing the kiln (controlling the firing operation) is considered as an expert craftsman.

The average number of months of operation of the studied brickfields in the previous years is about 4.5 months, as shown in Fig: B.1.  

Fig: B.2 shows the total number of bricks (in millions) produced in previous years as reported by the owners of the brickfields. The average number is estimated to be around 2.4 million. On this basis, the total production of bricks by all brickfields located in Chunuti and Teknaf is estimated as 50.4 million 

Working in the brickfields provides seasonal employment for a substantial number of people in the area. Fig: B3 shows the no of workers working in the 6 surveyed brickfields. Any initiative to move the brickfields to other areas should address this issue.

Replacement of fuel wood by coal

Information on use of fuel wood and coal for brickfields was not very reliable. When asked about the amount of fuel wood needed for burning 100,000 bricks the responses varied from 24 tons to 140 tons. Similarly for coal the response varied from 9 tons to 30 tons. According to the Bangladesh Energy Planning Project (BEPP), GOB 1985, requirement of fuel wood and coal is 76 tons and 30.48 tons respectively for 100,000 bricks. In the absence of reliable actual data the BEPP data can be used as the basis for comparison. This reference also states the specific energy coefficients for coal and fuel wood to be 7.44GJ/thousand bricks and 11.50GJ/thousand brick respectively. It can be inferred that the quantity of fuel wood required to burn bricks is almost double than that of coal. So a suggestion can be made to increase access to coal for these areas if brickfields are permitted at all.

The survey has found that the brickfield owners collect clay materials from local hillocks (50%) and from outside (50%). The location of all the surveyed brickfields is located inside the reserve forest area. But according to Brick Burning (control) law of 1989, no brickfield can be established within the 3 km area of the reserve forest area. Moreover, according to the law, it is illegal to use fuelwood in brick industries throughout Bangladesh.

So there are several reasons for not allowing brickfield around the sanctuary, game reserve and reserve forest areas.

Value of fuelwood used in and around the study area

Based on the cost of fuelwood and pattern of use by the households and commercial organisations in the area, an estimate has been made on the total value of fuelwood consumed in Chunuti and Teknaf area. The number of households and commercial units has been estimated on the basis of information provided in the Site Level Appraisal reports provided by the Nishorgo Support Project.

Table 2-2 Estimated value of fuelwood used in and around the study area per year

Chunuti area	Number of units	Consumption of fuel wood in Tons	Value in Taka	Value in lac Taka (100,000)
Estimated number of households	7,780
Household use in rainy season		14,004	28,008,000	280
Household use in dry season		39,211	78,422,400	784
Commercial use (tea stalls/restaurants)	60	548	1,095,000	11
Use in Brickfields	15	27,360	54,720,000	547
Total :		81,123	162,245,400	1,622

 

Teknaf area	Number of units	Consumption of fuel wood in Tons	Value in Taka	Value in lac Taka (100,000)
Estimated number of households	21,142
Household use in season		49,472	98,944,560	989
Household use in dry season		60,889	121,777,920	1,218
Commercial use (tea stalls/restaurants)	60	913	1,825,000	18
Use in Brickfields	6	10,944	21,888,000	219
Total :		122,218	244,435,480	2,444

 

Chapter 3         Energy efficient end-use devices and available appropriate renewable energy technologies 

One of the main purposes of this study is to recommend on energy efficient devices for the area to reduce the degradation of the forest, especially the Game Reserve and the Wildlife Sanctuary. The study has shown that 90-100% of the households and all the commercial units that work with cooking activities use fuelwood in a traditional way. For many of them the firewood is free, although it has to be collected by people. Even then the average amount of fuelwood used in the households is far more than in other parts of the country. Reducing wastages and improving efficiency in conversion of energy and switching to other types of fuel can help in loss of vegetation in the parks and the surrounding forests. Acceptance of any recommendations will depend on the success of awareness and promotional programs for introducing the technologies.

In recent years the emphasis of improved cook stoves programs have shifted from solely efficiency basis for saving fuel wood to more comprehensive sets of issues ranging from local health and environmental implications to global impacts associated with green house gas emissions. Experience in other countries has shown that for the success of cooking stove programs, the whole "cooking system" needs to be considered through integrated approaches. These should work simultaneously with technology innovation, creative financing and market development, and the monitoring of actual health and environmental benefits. The programs should also incorporate participatory approaches involving local women to correctly address users' priorities and preferences. This aspect of integrated development approach has to be kept in mind during any follow up activity taken up after this study.

The proposed technology interventions for the project are of the following types:

More efficient end use devices and appliance (improved stoves, pressure cookers, etc)
Making different types of conventional fuels available in the market (Kerosene or LPG stoves,
etc.) for people to chose from according to their capability and priority
Other appropriate technologies (bio gas plants, briquettes)
Cultivation/use of different kind of biomass fuels (dhaincha, fuelwood etc.)
Low cost solar dryer technology

 

During the exhibition held in Chunuti (20-21 March 2005) some of these items were introduced to the local people. Depending on the economic condition and individual requirements, the visitors showed interest in some or the other. Several designs of improved stoves have been promoted in Bangladesh by the Institute of Fuel Research & Development (IFRD) of Bangladesh Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR). Some of these and other designs developed by researchers around the world have been presented at Annex-3. Some of these are more energy efficient than others. But even for the less efficient, the reduction of indoor pollution suffered by the women and children from unburned biomass is an important positive outcome. To get the most benefit out of any subsequent cooking energy saving program, an initial review of the effectiveness of each of these options would need to be taken up.

In addition to improved stoves, the other viable technology of biogas could be investigated. More than 15% of the households owned enough cattle to run biogas plants. Since these are also the larger households, the amount of saving of wood fuel could be significant. In addition to cow dung used as raw material for biogas plants there was a scope of installing biogas plants using poultry droppings. These could be the owners of existing poultry farms or new entrepreneurs could be supported with micro credit to take up this activity instead of selling fuelwood/timber as a living.

Chapter 4         Awareness Program: Exhibition at Chunuti on Alternative Energy sources

Exhibition on Alternative Energy Options held at Chunuti

An outreach program was designed to introduce alternative energy options to the general population in and around Chunuti wildlife sanctuary. The objective of this exhibition was to initiate interest and awareness among the people to shift from firewood in particular, and to improve their energy usage pattern to more sustainable alternatives. Renewable and nonrenewable energy options were considered for alternative fuels.

The two-day event took place on March 21-22, at the field belonging to the local high school. Publicity for the event was done through letters of invitation to all the schools, colleges, UP office, Forest office, local elites and others. Posters in prominent places, and handbills were distributed along with microphone announcements at the local market. Copies of some of the information material distributed to the public are given in ANNEX- 4.

The program was attended by high level officials of the District Forest Department, local government officials, representatives of GTZ and Nishorgo support project, teachers and students from local colleges, schools and Madrasa, officials from the local NGOs and general public from surrounding areas.

From the beginning there was great excitement since this was the first time such an event took place in this area. People started to gather before starting the opening ceremony. Even though Chunuti is considered to be a conservative place, a large number of women came to visit the different stalls. They had a lot of queries about the availability of cost saving devices and supply of alternative fuels and various types of home based income generating activities. A large number of school and college going boys and girls came to the fair and showed their desire to learn about the displayed technologies. In general people had a great interest on the exhibits and would welcome affordable technologies if made available to reduce pressure on the forest.

Transport was arranged to bring women and men from interior villages to the exhibition area near the main market. The exhibition was a great success considering the number of people who turned out, and their mix. At least 5,000 people attended during the 2 days including housewives, students (both general and religious), children, local people, members of NGOs, educational institutions, and officials. To familiarise an available modern fuel, 200 kg of briquettes were distributed among the women visitors to try the new type of fuel at home. 

In the exhibition, improved stoves, kerosene stove, kerogas stove, LPG stove and solar cooker were displayed as examples of alternative energy technologies. On the other hand “Dhaincha”, briquettes and LPG cylinder were displayed as the alternative fuel source. Solar home system, portable solar lamps, solar water pump, solar water heater etc. were also displayed. The exhibits were mainly of three categories:

1. Alternative fuel and energy sources

2. Improved cooking devices (stoves)

3. Efficient appliances

 

Table 4-1 List of items displayed at the exhibition

Category	Items
	1. LPG cylinder
ALTERNATIVE FUEL	2. Dhaincha stick
& ENERGY	3. Dhaincha seeds and plants
SOURCES	4. Briquettes
IMPROVED COOKING DEVICES	1. One burner earthen improved stove 2. Kerosene Stove 3. Kerogas stove 4. Gas cooker with cylinder
EFFICIENT	1. Pressure cooker
APPLIANCES
OTHER RENEWABLE ENERGY PRODUCTS	1. Portable LED lamps 2. Solar Systems for home lighting 3. Solar water pump 4. Solar water heater 5. Solar cooker
INFORMATION DOCUMENTS	1. Wall hangings and pictures on the problem of deforestation 2. Pictures of various types of alternative energy sources and appliances, e.g. biogas plants, solar driers, wind turbines, etc.
	3. Booklets and pamphlets on alternative
	energy 4. Booklets on income generating activities

 

Impact of the exhibition:

Financial benefit and access are the primary driving forces in the decision to shift between the alternative fuel types. However, convenience and time saving are also important to the people and environmental impact of the choice of fuel is not a priority today. It is expected that the outreach event will have some influence in the future, where the priorities will be shifted toward more environmentally friendly preferences. 

The impact of this outreach event can be classified according to the different income groups.

Higher income population has the choice of switching between the fuel types if adequate supply is available. The cost of moving between the fuel types is associated with the cooking device. Although the local market does not offer the alternatives, affordable choices of cooking devices are available to this income group within 50 km of Chunuti. These people often use multiple fuel and devices where firewood and kerosene are the main fuel currently being used.

Sufficient interest would be to switch to higher efficiency fuel like LPG, devices like the kerogas stove, efficient fuel like briquette, and efficient appliance like the pressure cooker. 

Middle-income population try to optimise their resources between the different categories of expenditure who prefer to spend more on a monthly basis with less initial investment. In addition to fuel price and its availability, they also include transport cost and time spent to procure the fuel on a regular basis. The possible switch would be from lower efficiency kerosene stove to a higher efficiency one, without much capital investment. Alternatively, households would be interested in using high efficiency (improved) clay stoves (with or without chimney) as a cost saving for their firewood and better indoor environment. 

Most of the poor and low-income population collect their cooking fuel. As it has been reported from the survey finding, only 7% of the people living around the sanctuary actually only buy their fuel wood on a daily basis. Since these households are poor, the possibility of purchasing alternatives is low among this income group. With sufficient effort and intervention, their fuel wood usage pattern can be changed to reduce their dependence of the sanctuary. A possibility is to reduce overall consumption of firewood by shifting to more efficient (improved) stoves. In addition, households with some space around their premises can plant firewood for their own consumption. Special type of very good fuel sticks called ‘Dhaincha’ was shown to the public at the exhibition, which has a short regeneration time of 3 months.

Table 4-2 Average Cost of alternative cooking devices

TYPE OF COOKING DEVICE	FIXED COST in Tk.	MONTHLY FUEL CONSUMPTION	MONTHLY COST OF FUEL in Tk.
Single Burner earthen stove	50		360
Double Burner earthen stove	150		480
Kerosene Stove(Type 1)	100	15 ltr.	390
Kerosene Stove(Type 2)	250	12 ltr.	312
Kerosene Stove(Type 3)	450	10 ltr.	260
Kero-Gas Stove	800	7 ltr.	182
LPG Stove	2750	1 cylinder of 25 kg	400-500
Solar Cooker	3000		0

 

Income generation is of foremost to the people in Chunuti, where job prospects are very few. Some books published by ITDG on income generating projects created much interest showing that people are interested in looking for other sources of income. 

There was request for a permanent exhibition in Chunuti from the academicians, the District Forest Officer (DFO) and other educated groups. There was also request for exhibitions like this in many other locations LGED project on Sustainable Rural Energy proposed that they could make a biogas plant for demonstration. NACOM, NSP, CODEC, Local Elites are deeply interested in a follow up of this event.

There was an unexpectedly high participation of women at the exhibition, reflecting great demand for alternative among the end users of cooking fuel.

Poster Board at Exhibition

 

Crowd of People in the Exhibition

 

 

Improved Stove and Kerosene Stove

 

Solar Water Pump

 

Chapter 5 Conclusions and Recommendations 

Conclusions:

The main observation from the study is the general lack of awareness among the general public about the environmental degradation they are causing by over harvesting the natural resources. During the past several years of NSP project some of the educated people have began to understand the problem, but the majority are too busy with their day to day living using these resources to give the environment any consideration. The powerful people who are out of control of any law enforcing efforts are equally un-interested to stop their part in deforestation and degradation of the land. So different approaches are needed to tackle the different types of overuse of the natural resources. 

Based on the cost of fuelwood @Tk.2/kg, and pattern of use by the households and commercial organisations in the area (ref Table 2-2), an estimate has been made on the total market value of fuelwood consumed in Chunuti and Teknaf area. Part of the total amount may come from areas outside the immediate area, but this shows the demand that has to be met.  

Table 5-1 Annual Fuelwood consumption in and around Chunuti and Teknaf Parks

	Consumption of fuel wood in Tons	Value in Taka
Chunuti	81,123	162,245,400
Teknaf	122,218	244,435,480

 

The experience from the study has shown that, once people understand the kind of pressure that is put on the immediate environment by their own behaviour, they are willing to look for alternatives. Thus it was felt that the demand for alternatives was high among the people, and suitable mechanisms to promote such alternatives can result in a successful transition. Financial intervention with micro-credit or other incentives can motivate and encourage people to switch to alternative fuels and efficient devices, which would ultimately reduce the pressure on the local resources.

The following observations have been made by the study team that need attention of the planners and policy makers. These may be taken up as part of the recommendations and the Action Plan given in the next section.

There is a need for awareness building at all levels of the population in the area. An energy service and information center on alternative energy options can be set up in Chunuti to promote technologies designed to reduce the growing pressure on the wildlife sanctuary. NSP could gain from hosting the center with more knowledge on the alternatives and maintaining some products for sale to the public. 

A training course on production of improve stoves with high efficiency will have quick and direct impact on the fuel consumption by the households in the area. Training can be offered to

some local entrepreneurs from the area, who would be interested to make a business for themselves by building these stoves for households in the local area. Proven designs suitable for the area, good trainers, along with a program of monitoring will be needed for this activity. Nishorgo project can offer to maintain the center for public interested in taking the training, for their own use and for commercial activity.

The urgent need for supplying Dhaincha seeds for growing the alternative of fuel can be done through the ‘energy service and information center’ or other existing outlet.  During the initial period seeds can be sold to the public at a reduced price to create interest.  Nishorgo agricultural extension could follow upon this. Similarly, commercial availability of briquette could be ensured with increasing demand. The private sector producer in Potia (20 km from Chunuti) could be encouraged to stock some briquette near the park areas. 

Awareness building was considered to be a key element by all the stakeholders interested in reducing deforestation. There was a request for a permanent exhibition in Chunuti from the academicians, the District Forest Officer (DFO) and other educated groups. There was also request for exhibitions like the one held in Chunuti in other locations.

Requests were made for demonstration of other renewable energy items for awareness building. The study team feels that this could be arranged in association with other organisations working in this field such as the Bangladesh Agriculture University, Agricultural Research institutes, etc. Most of the local people including NACOM, NSP, CODEC, and the local elite are deeply interested in a follow up of this event, which could make a long term impact of the two day demonstration. It is proposed that the priority items from the action plan be selected to prepare a strategy for future direction to be adopted by the Nishorgo Project.  

For wider impact, a demonstration village could also be developed with the help of other organisations where all the households within such a village would be using improved stoves, efficient fuel, or energy saving devices for cooking. Assistance could be provided to families in this village owning adequate number of cattle to install biogas plants.

The role of GTZ in future activities in this area may also be clarified at this stage. There is a scope for replication in wider scale and facilitation of focused interventions using renewable energy technologies, which can tap into the different global resources offered by international players. One such option could be using the CDM and GEF facilities for leveraging the local funds.

Recommendations

It has been observed during study visits that in the survey areas biomass fuels crisis have occurred due to unsustainable extraction of tree resources from reserve forest areas. There are many reasons for unsustainable tree extraction such as timber extraction for business, fuelwood extraction for business and own use, tree clearing for settlement & agriculture, extraction of forest products for earning income etc. Their resultant effects have contributed to deforestation and degradation of soils in denuded areas. Use of biomass fuels is a critical parameter and has both cause and effect relations with deforestation.

The following recommendations have been made with the objectives of achieving regenerative supply of biomass fuels and improving environmental conditions. These actions also have prospects of creation of employment and improving the quality of life.

•           Prohibition of illegal use of fuelwood in brick industries within reserve forest areas.

•           Creation of awareness among development planners about the action programmes on
sustainable development.

 

•           Creation of awareness among local population for sustainable living.

•           Establishment of Energy Service and  Information Centre.

•           Augmentation of supply of biomassfuels (e.g. tree plantation, dhaincha cultivation)

•           Conservation of biomassfuels through promotion of efficient energy consuming technologies

(e.g. improved cooking devices),

•           Substitution of biomassfuels with kerosene and LPG,

•           Conservation of biomass fuels through promotion of efficient biomassfuels conversion
technologies (e.g. briquetting machines, biogas digestors),

 

•           Establishment of a demonstration village for awareness building on energy technologies.

•           Promotion of small energy businesses.

•           Capacity building of local population

•           Innovative financing for access to alternative fuel and technologies

•           Organisational issues for implementation of project

 

The above mentioned action programme should not be considered as short-term one time measures, but it will have to be considered under medium to long-term time horizon as integral part of usual development activities. Considering critical environmental condition of the survey areas, implementation of above mentioned projects should be considered simultaneously. Strategies to be followed in implementation of the recommendations are presented below.

5.1 Creation of Awareness 

5.1.1 Legal Action against Illegal Use of Fuelwood for Brick Burning 

According to Brick Burning Control Law of 1989, the use of fuelwood for brick burning is banned throughout the country (Article 5). Moreover, it is illegal to construct Brick Kilns within three kilometres of Reserve Forest areas (Article 4). 

Seminars and discussion meeting should be organized at Thana level to draw the attention of the law enforcing agencies and the stakeholders to take appropriate actions as prescribed in the law. The copy of the law may be distributed among the participants. Permanent billboards stating the various laws on protection of the forest and regulations on location of brickfields can be put up in appropriate locations. Social pressure against deforestation could also be created through appropriate awareness program involving local elite, schools, voluntary organisations, NGOs and others.

5.1.2 Creation of Awareness Among Development Planners

Periodically national experts may be invited as resource persons to participate in discussion meetings and seminars organized for creating awareness among developments planners (e.g. GO, NGOs, CBOs) working at the Thana level.

5.1.3 Creation of Awareness Among the Beneficiaries

Discussion meetings and video presentations may be organized in public places like local colleges, schools and clubs to create awareness about sustainable supply of biomassfuels.

5.1.4 Establishment of an Energy Service and Information Centre

Establishment of an Energy Service and Information Centre (ESIC) at project site would help in keeping the stakeholders informed about different technologies that may be used to attain sustainable level of production of biomass. This centre may be attached to NSP/CODEC office at the project site.

5.2 Promotion of Technologies

5.2.1 Plantation of Trees and Marketing of Dhaincha seeds

The nurseries of the Forest Department and other organisations in the project area can raise seedlings on a continuous basis for supply to households and local markets. The local NGOs can organise their beneficiaries to raise seedlings as part of their income generating activities.

In Bangladesh, Dhaincha is generally grown in seasonal fallow lands located in fuel scarce regions (Rajshahi division) of the country to augment biomassfuel supply and to improve soil condition. During field exhibition (held on 20-21 March, 2005), local population expressed their keen interest about Dhaincha cultivation to augment the supply of biomassfuels. Dhaincha seeds procured from other parts of the country (especially the tall variety) may be packed in small bags and marketed through local grocery shops and nurseries. It is envisaged that after initial 2-3 years, seeds produced locally may be used in subsequent production. Sustained supply of Dhaincha seeds for at least 2 years is a pre-requisite for the success of this intervention.

5.2.2 Installation and Marketing of Improved stoves

Domestic use: Several designs of improved stoves for household use have been given in Annex- 3. Initially a proven design can be taken up for promotion using short training courses and implementation. NGOs with experience in such programs can be contacted for the

purpose. PSL has also developed an efficient portable stove that can be fabricated and marketed by intending entrepreneurs. However it has to be remembered that like any new technology, improved stoves will require some time to get users’ acceptability (dissemination). Inability to take this into consideration can result in total failure of the efforts. NSP can begin with taking applications for a 2 day training course to measure the level of resources needed in both locations. Availability of micro-credit fund will enable poor households to afford the cost of improve stoves.

Commercial use: Commercial units (e.g. tea-stalls an restaurants) are in a better position to spend more on energy saving devices of commercial size improved stoves. So with proper credit programs they can be persuaded to adopt the technologies. Because of available cash, they are also more likely to use technologies like briquettes.

5.2.3 Use of Efficient Appliances Some simple devices like pressure cookers can be great fuel and time saver for both households and commercial units. Small loans for purchase of these in instalments can ultimately reduce the demand for fuelwood. Local hardware shops can be encouraged to stock these products. Micro-credit funds for households for procurement of the appliances will be an incentive.

5.2.4 Marketing of Kerosene stoves, LPG Cylinders and burners

 

Partial substitution of biomass fuels with kerosene and LPG can have a positive effect on preserving the forest resources. The end use devices are also more efficient than the traditional firewood stoves. Various types of kerosene and LPG using devices such as (a) Domestic kerosene cookers; (b) Pressurized kerosene cookers for home and commercial users (e.g. hotels & restaurants) (c) LPG burners for domestic and commercial users are available in the more developed markets near the project areas. Those who can afford the technologies can be assisted to invest in these by offering credits for hire purchase.

The country has an extensive distribution network of petroleum products. Many of which extend to towns near the project area. With some efforts from the project, these networks can be utilised for maintaining adequate supply of the fuels (e.g. kerosene and LPG) for the households and commercial units. Linkage with the private sector and local entrepreneur(s) as dealers for the marketing of kerosene and LPG is critical for the success of this intervention.

5.2.5 Manufacturing and Marketing of briquettes 

Briquettes made from rice husk are commercially available throughout the country and are used in place of fuelwood. Traditionally paddy is not parboiled in Chittagong and Chittagong HT regions. As a result, there is good prospect for the availability of rice husk for briquetting units. Local entrepreneur(s) may be encouraged to start a business of briquette making by providing the technology and assistance in marketing.

Existing manufacturers and dealers of briquette from adjacent towns could be contacted for extending their services to Chunuti and Teknaf. Local entrepreneur may be encouraged with incentives to hold supply of briquettes in their outlets for selling to the local market. Once a steady demand is created

5.2.6 Biogas technology

Biogas can provide a steady supply of cooking gas for families owning adequate number of cattle. Dung from 5-6 cattle is needed to operate a family size biogas plant. It has been proven as a viable technology in many areas of the country. Effluents from toilets can also be used as a source of feed materials for biogas plants. The well off families can be encouraged to invest in household size biogas plants by providing the technology and training in installation and maintenance.

5.2.7 Marketing Solar Home Systems 

Small size solar lighting systems and efficient appliances can be made available to the retail stores (on credit financing from the project) for households in unelectrified areas. Some established NGOs have their solar projects in the Cox’s Bazar district who may be interested in using local energy entrepreneurs for marketing.

5.2.8 Establishment of Demonstration Village

Establishment of a Demonstration Village using different promotional technologies would be helpful in popularising (disseminating) the technologies in the project area. 

5.3 Capacity Building

Periodic training programmes should be organized at local level for different groups of stakeholders for the implementation of different sub-projects (e.g. improved cook stoves) mentioned in above paragraphs. Considering the important roles played by women in managing domestic cooking fuels, women should be given preference in introducing improved devices to be used at household level. 

5.3.1 Training on Promotion of Improved Biomass Fuel Stoves

With technical assistance from Institute of Fuel Research and Development (IFRD), BCSIR and Village Education Resource Center (VERC), Savar, selected women entrepreneurs may be given training to construct improved stove(s) at household level on payment basis. IFRD’s assistance may also be sought for constructing improved stoves in commercial units (e.g. restaurants, tea-stalls).

5.4 Provision of Financing

All project activities and sub-activities are subject to availability of financial resources. Necessary finance is to be mobilized for the following purposes:

(a) Implementation of awareness creation activities

(b) Establishment of Energy Service and Information Centre

(c) Promotion of energy efficient technologies and appliances

(d) Establishment of small enterprises

(e) Implementation of capacity building program

(f) Provision of micro credit

 

5.5 Provision of Micro-credit

Availability of micro-credit for procurement of energy efficient technologies will jump start initial dissemination of the devices. Therefore micro-credit can play a key role in the success of a follow up project . a) A one time loan of Tk.100 can be made available to 15,000 poor households interested

to install improved clay stoves.

b)         A loan of Tk.500-1000 per family for 1000 households for purchasing pressure

cookers. c) A loan Tk 800 per family for 2000 households to procure kerogas stoves. d) A loan of Tk. 3000 per family for 200 households to procure LPG cylinder and burner e) In addition, 5 micro enterprises may be provided with loans of Tk. 50,000 or more to

initiate business on energy efficient devices in the local area.

5.6       Organisational Aspects

a)         Interactive and coordinated actions of DFO, GTZ, NSP, CODEC, professional experts and the local beneficiaries would be necessary to implement programs for achieving sustainable development of the project areas.

b)         Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers’ Association (BELA), a nationally reputed environmental NGO should be involved to create awareness for taking Legal Action against illegal use of fuelwood for brick burning.

c)         Forest Department will continue its usual programme of forestry development

d) Individual households may be encouraged to undertake production of Dhaincha as a seasonal fuelwood crop.

e)         Relevant petroleum fuel marketing company/companies (Padma, Meghna, Jamuna) should be contacted to appoint some local entrepreneur(s) as dealers for the marketing of kerosene and LPG.

f)          Some local entrepreneurs may also be encouraged to undertake marketing of kerosene and LPG using devices: (a) Domestic kerosene cookers; (b) Pressurised kerosene cookers for commercial users (e.g. hotels & restaurants); (c) LPG burners for domestic and commercial users.

g)         Institute of Fuel Research and Development (IFRD), BCSIR and Village Education Resource Center (VERC) etc should be involved for the promotion of improved wood burning stoves.

h)         The Institute of Fuel Research and Development (IFRD), BCSIR and Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) may be involved in installation of biogas plants in locations having adequate supply of raw materials (e.g. animal dung).

i)          NGOs working in the area on Solar PV should be involved in the promotion of the technology in the unelectrified parts.

j)          Local NGOs operating micro financing activities should be provided with necessary funds to support different sub-projects (e.g., improved stoves, dhaincha seed distribution, bio-gas, solar PV, LPG cylinders, LPG stoves, kerosene stoves, kerogas stoves)

k)         Donor support would be necessary to provide funds for different action programs and credit for promotion of technologies.

Proposed Action Plan: Table 5-1 shows the proposed Action Plan with a schedule for implementation of the activities mentioned in this report and possible stakeholder participation. The timeframe takes into account the necessity of long term commitment required for success of such projects. Priority level has been determined by the expected scale of the impact, qualitative significance of the output and timing considerations.

 

 

 

On the backdrop of the above, NSP and the GTZ project Promotion of the Use of Renewable Energies (PURE) agreed to carry out an assessment of the energy use pattern and the energy demand/supply situation of households, commercial and industrial enterprises for selected national parks and provide recommendations on promoting efficiency improvement of energy end-use devices and fuel switching options, which are acceptable and affordable for the inhabitants in and around the parks and contribute to reduced exploitation of forest resources.

PURE shall provide the technical expertise (consultants) for the appraisal.

Scope of work

Presently, the NSP focuses its attention on the following parks/sanctuaries:

1) Teknaf Game Reserve

2) Chunati Wildlife Sanctuary (CHT)

3) Rema Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary

4) Lawachara National Park

In the first phase the appraisal shall be carried out for the Teknaf Game Reserve and Chunati Wildlife Sanctuary (CHT). Based on the results the appraisal may be extended to cover the other two parks.

The scope of the appraisal shall include  appropriate surveys, which will be used to assess and evaluate the patterns of (fuel) wood use by households and small industries in and around the target area

¾         recommendations on promotion of appropriate upgrading of energy end-use devices and/or fuel switching options without straining the socioeconomic situation of inhabitants in the target areas, but rather contributing to improvement of their quality of life, including improvement of their health situation

Tasks

The following tasks need to be performed by consultants:

1.         Conduct a sample survey of the present energy use patterns of households and, if applicable, commercial and industrial enterprises in and around the selected national parks and specify the sources of energy used, quantify the energy used, and describe the energy end-use devices employed

2.         Assess in particular the use and source of supply of firewood. In addition, establish present practices of harvesting and, if applicable, trading of wood (formal, informal)

3.         In cooperation with DoF assess the ecological impact of the present practice of harvesting of (fire-)wood in the respective national parks

4.         Propose options for fuel switching and upgrading of energy devices/technologies and describe the technical/financial/social constraints that might hinder acceptance of new or improved energy devices and/or fuel switching

5.         Design a pragmatic strategy for promotion of effective fuel switching and upgrading of energy devices/technologies in the target areas

 

Remarks on implementation/cooperation

Whenever possible, NSP and the DoF will provide the services of their local infrastructure for the field work in the park areas. DoF/NSP will provide forest-related expertise (e.g. for Tasks 2 & 3).

eog/03-11-04

ANNEX-2

 

Laws on Forest, Construction and Brickfields

1. Brick Burning (control) Law, 1989

 

2. Forest Act Law, 1927

 

3. The Building Construction Act, 1952

 

 

 

 

 

 

ANNEX-3

 

Some designs of improved stoves used around the world

WINIARSKI’S ROCKET STOVE:

 

Efficiency: 12-42%. The efficiency depends on type of a heat exchanger used.

Construction: Simple to construct with a number of different materials.  The simplest Rocket Stove can be built with thick tin cans and wood ash (5,000 of these were built in refugee camps in Zaire).    Life expectancy: Is 2 weeks to ten years depending on the materials used.                                Materials: The Rocket elbow can be made from different materials to improve its durability. Sand/clay (Lorena), pumice/concrete, heavy steel pipe, 430 stainless steel or special heat resistant ceramic can be used.  

WORKING PRINCIPLE: Rocket Stove Principle:

1) Insulate, particularly the combustion chamber, with low mass, heat resistant materials in order to keep the fire as hot as possible and not to heat the higher mass of the stove body.

2.) Within the stove body, above the combustion chamber, use an insulated, upright chimney of a height that is about two or three times the diameter before extracting heat to any surface (griddle, pots, etc.).

3.) Heat only the fuel that is burning (and not too much). Burn the tips of sticks as they enter the combustion chamber, for example. The object is not to produce more gasses or charcoal than can be cleanly burned at the power level desired.

4.) Maintain a good air velocity through the fuel. The primary Rocket stove principle and feature is using a hot, insulated, vertical chimney within the stove body that increases draft.

5.) Do not allow too much or too little air to enter the combustion chamber. We strive to have stoichiometric (chemically ideal) combustion: in practice there should be the minimum excess of air supporting clean burning.

6.) The cross sectional area (perpendicular to the flow) of the combustion chamber should be sized within the range of power level of the stove. Experience has shown that roughly twenty-five square inches will suffice for home use (four inches in diameter or five inches square). Commercial size is larger and depends on usage.

7.) Elevate the fuel and distribute airflow around the fuel surfaces. When burning sticks of wood, it is best to have several sticks close together, not touching, leaving air spaces between them. Particle fuels should be arranged on a grate.

8.) Arrange the fuel so that air largely flows through the glowing coals.Too much air passing above the coals cools the flames and condenses oil vapors.

9.) Throughout the stove, any place where hot gases flow, insulate from the higher mass of the stove body, only exposing pots, etc. to direct heat.

10.) Transfer the heat efficiently by making the gaps as narrow as possible between the insulation covering the stove body and surfaces to be heated but do this without choking the fire. Estimate the size of the gap by keeping the cross sectional area of the flow of hot flue gases constant. EXCEPTION: When using a external chimney or fan the gaps can be substantially reduced as long as adequate space has been left at the top of the internal short chimney for the gasses to turn smoothly and distribute evenly. This is tapering of the manifold. In a common domestic griddle stove with external chimney, the gap under the griddle can be reduced to about one half inch for optimum heat transfer.

This elbow is then placed inside of a container that is filled with insulation . The container can be made from almost any material. We have used 5 gallon drums, brick, clay, cement. For insulation we suggest using wood ash or pearlite, or pumice,. Do not use massive things such as earth, sand,or cement. These will rob heat from the stove and reduce your combustion efficiency. For optimal use we recommend a 9" chimney and a 4" fuel feed magazine.

The Rocket stove is an improvement over the three stone fire but it is only one part of the equation. In order to really save fuel wood we must maximize the heat transfer to the pot.

Clay used for HENYA stove HENYA stove

ADVANTAGES:

• Less smoke

• Wood conserving

• Clean cooking conditions

• Long lasting

• Affordability

• Portability

• Stability (sufficiency)

• Charcoal, firewood, corn cobs and other dry rubbish could be used.

 

As a product, the Upesi stove has had a widespread impact in Kenya, while other types of improved stove, adapted for local needs, are used in many other developing countries.

The technology is relatively straightforward. What makes the Upesi a success is the way in which nontechnical issues including the use of the market, the participation of the community, entrepreneurial training and skills development have been addressed as part of the development approach to the technology.

Stoves commercialization

The community is actively involved in the manufacture and promotion of stoves, which are sold commercially on the open market.

 A paddle is used to The Rural Stoves West Kenya project has trained 13 get the correct thickness

The Upesi stove for households in Kenya

Biomass for cooking: improving energy efficiency, environment, employment and health

Around half the world’s population relies on biomass for their energy needs. Biomass includes fuel wood and organic waste. It is the major source of renewable energy.

Most of this biomass is used for cooking on open fires or poorly constructed stoves, usually inside the house. This leads to very inefficient fuel use and a high level of indoor air pollutants.

One of the simplest, most immediate ways to improve the quality of life for those using biomass as a fuel is to provide access to improved stoves. The Upesi stove, developed by ITDG with its partners in East Africa, is

women’s groups (approximately 200 people) to make of clay which is improved stoves. As well as production training, the important to the stove’s women gain skills in business management, including durability, Kenya. marketing.

 The Upesi stove

made of clay and fired in a kiln. The design allows it to

reduces smoke levels

burn agricultural residues as well as wood, such as waste The training is participative. Women identify their own

bringing health benefits

from sugar cane.

training needs, devise the programmes and control

for users, Kenya.

their pace.

The annual production is estimated at 10 000 to 11 000 stoves, and the profit generated by the stoves provides artisans with a higher than average rural wage. As a result, the women involved have gained status, self-confidence and financial independence.

The empowerment of the women was also instrumental in achieving an improved kiln for making the stoves. ITDG worked with three groups of women potters to design and test prototypes. Their involvement created a forum where they could also learn how to construct and use the kiln.

The project continues to pilot new approaches to commercialization. It is currently working to improve the linkages between potential stove users and producers by identifying and training intermediary marketing groups, thereby encouraging key players to market

Simon Ekless

The Upesi stove benefits poor people in several ways:

● It can halve the amount of fuel wood needed by a household. This reduces drudgery and improves the sustainability of fuel wood resources.

● It provides employment. About 10 000 stoves per year are made and sold in West Kenya alone.

● It alleviates household smoke.

 

ITDG has also introduced a new design of kiln which has substantially reduced the fuel needed to make the stoves and the scrap levels from stoves cracking during firing.

8 Technology...is only half the story Technology...is only half the story 9

themselves more efficiently, promote the benefits and expand consumer choice.

Business services

The technical training of the women, by itself, would not have been sufficient to achieve success. Training on group organization, management, marketing and business skills was crucial, particularly because the aims of the project focused on the benefits to producers and the development of a commercial market for stoves.

 The initial market for the Upesi was developed at a time when similar stoves were being subsidised, leading to artificially low prices and unequal competition. A key target was to create a market with a more realistic pricing structure reflecting real production costs.

Marketing awareness among the producers also fed back into the technical training. The Upesi had to be a high quality product, because the market had been damaged by stoves of inconsistent quality. Although a higher production standard may initially appear to raise prices, in fact people with little money need to have confidence that what they do buy is reliable. A further business service which was crucial to this project was the establishment of a strong network of the key actors – producers, installers and retailers of the stove – and the effective dissemination of information and knowledge between them. For small scale producers the lack of information and knowledge, every bit as much as economic mechanisms, constitutes a major barrier to use of the market.

Pollution reduction

When biomass is used inefficiently, it produces high levels of particulates which are a major contributory factor in several potentially life-threatening diseases. Household smoke is the major cause of death for children under five, worldwide (WHO: Health and Environment in Sustainable Development, Geneva 1997).

ITDG is working in Kenya to determine the best, most cost-effective ways to reduce levels of smoke in the homes of rural poor people. The levels of smoke in the kitchen are being monitored over a typical day for fifty homes in a ‘before-and-after’ study, in which the benefits of windows, eaves space, smoke hoods and improved stoves will be statistically evaluated.

Improved stoves can be a key contributor to reducing particulate levels in households – though other adaptations to reduce fuel use and smoke levels are also required.

By working at household level, ITDG hopes to extend the range of benefits to people’s quality of life which the improved stove can offer.

The Upesi stove is a good example of the benefits of working closely with a community to find out what type of stove best suits their lifestyle. Its high level of adoption reflects this success.

 8. Like many rural women in developing countries, this women carries the burden of firewood collection, Zimbabwe.

 As well as being end users, women in this project benefit from manufacturing and selling the stoves. Keyo, Kenya.

10 Technology...is only half the story Technology...is only half the story 11

A	ASBESTOS CEMENT PIPE -Ø4In, HT 10FT
B	CHIMNEY SUPPORT - BRICK WITH SOIL MORTAR
C	VESSEL SEATING OPENINGS
D	CAST IRON GRATE - (15CM X 15CM X 1CM THK)
E	ASH PIT
F	( SOIL MORTAR+ WASTE BURNT BRICK POWDER
	+ CEMENT MORTAR ) FILLING

 

NOTE :

1. ALL DIMENSIONS ARE IN CM

2. DRAWING IS NOT TO SCALE

3. TO MAINTAIN DIMENSION STANDARDS IN CONSTRUCTION OF STOVES, A METAL  MOULD COULD BE USED

 

ELEVATION

IMPROVED 'SARALA' STOVE

ANNEX-4

Some Information Materials Distributed at the Chunuti Exhibition