Nepal is one  of the world's poorest country. Of the total population , most of the population live in rural areas having no access to the electricity and other source as a means of energy . The  majority of the people, for their daily purpose like cooking, heating , lightening, etc have to depend upon their nearby forest.

Among the various soaring causes of deforestation , use of firewood for cooking is also one of the important cause of deforestation.

Traditional cooking stove.

Source: Google.

Cooking by the use of firewood has been the most common and traditional method in Nepal. The procedure includes an open fire set in a hole in the ground in the kitchen with a stand on which a single pot stands. Here, the smoke produced by the fire remains in the kitchen, since there is no chimney or ventilation system, which seriously affect the health of animals. The smoke also blackens pots, clothes and other materials in the house. This type of cooking system is less than 10% efficient converting the energy stored in the wood i.e. wood consumption is high and cooking and firewood collection times are long.

Overcoming all the disadvantages of traditional cooking system, Improved cooking stove (ICS) , a simple but highly effective technology has been developed which can replace traditional stove and make vast positive difference in the lives of margenilized people.

Improved cooking stove.

Source: Google.

Improved cooking stove has chimney to remove smoke from kitchen. The fire is enclosed and there are two potholes to cook different parts of meal simultaneously and maximize heat use. The ICH is more efficient (15%- 25%) than traditional at energy conversion. This requires very less firewood and can be prepared from local materials like mud, straw/ husk, animal dung and small metal component.  ICS is also one of the potential system for the adoption of Clean Development mechanism.

Having all these advantages over traditional cooking  stove, improved cooking stove can be a better option for the people below the poverty line ameliorating their health quality and also reducing the deforestation which have been a major problem in the country.