Local Communities’ Use of Biomass Fuels and Attitude Towards Improved Cooking Stoves in and Around Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary

Abstract

Use of biomass fuel in traditional cooking stove (TCS) is the long-established practice that exhibits incomplete combustion and generates substances with global warming potential (GWP). Improved cooking stove (ICS) has been developed worldwide as an alternative household fuel burning device, a climate change mitigation strategy as well. A study was conducted in the female Forest User Groups (FUGs) of Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary, Bangladesh to assess the status of ICS disseminated by the Forest Department (FD) under Nishorgo Support Project along with the community’s biomass fuel consumption pattern. Consumption of wood fuel was highest (345 kg month⁻¹ household⁻¹) followed by agricultural residues (60 kg month⁻¹ household⁻¹), tree-leaves (51 kg month⁻¹ household⁻¹) and cow-dung (25 kg month⁻¹ household⁻¹). Neighboring forest of the sanctuary was revealed as the core source for wood fuel with little or no reduction in the extraction even after joining the FUG. Twenty two species, both indigenous and introduced, were found in preference for wood fuel by the community. None of the respondents were found willing to use ICS although 43 % of them owned it; either as the status symbol or to meet the condition of the FD to continue membership in FUG. Seven negative features of the disseminated ICS were identified by the households that made them unwilling to use it further. Manufacturing faults may be responsible for the ICS’s demerits and FD’s negligence was liable to the failure of convincing the community. A proper examination of the disseminated ICS’s efficacy is crucial with active involvement of the community members. The Sustainable Energy Triangle Strategy (SETS) could be implemented for this purpose. Findings of the study would be of immense importance in designing the strategy for the introduction of ICS in Bangladesh.