Inventory of Innovative Indoor Smoke
Alleviating Technologies in Nepal
I
Preface
Indoor Air Pollution (IAP), results form househlod (HH) cooking and heating when low quality solid fuels is used in
poorly ventilated kitchens. IAP can be generated from different sources besides solid fuel burning. IAP is responsible
for an array of respiratory related diseases. In developing countries, IAP is the fourth leading cause of death and was
responsible for the deaths of over 1.5 million people in 2002, predominately women and children (WHO 2006). IAP is a
major environmental health concern in Nepal as 85 per cent of HHs still depend on solid biomass fuels for cooking and
heating. In 2002, IAP was responsible for the death of 7,500 people in Nepal (WHO 2007).
Current energy use and availability trend in Nepal indicates that use of solid fuel will continue to dominate for the
next several years. There are various successful and innovative technologies promoted in Nepal to reduce indoor
smoke generated from the solid fuel burning. However, due to lack of adequate information, demand for such
technologies/products is very low. Nepal has diverse cooking practices hence different types of technologies are
required to eliminate IAP in Nepal. Experience shows that the success of technologies depends on various aspects -
availability and price of fuels, socio-cultural, ethnic values and practices, geographic and climatic conditions, cooking
behaviours and practices, size/design of kitchen, economic status etc.
This report is a compilation of information on innovative IAP alleviating technologies that is promoted in Nepal. We
hope that this report will serve as an important reference for practitioners, researchers, academicians, private promoters
and consumers to access general information on various kinds of innovative technologies that significantly reduces
IAP with easily available resources in Nepal's local markets. This report can be used by the readers to facilitate their
decision making on appropriate choice of technology suitable for their own use or for further dissemination. It is also
expected to help reduce duplication and assist the planners and decision makers to plan for new innovations in the
future. However, this reference material is not sufficient to design a stove or manufacturing guidelines.
We are grateful to Dutch Government (DGIS) for their financial support. This book is a collective effort of many
individuals. I would like to thank Mr. Uttam Dhakal for his contribution for collecting field information, verifying and
preparing the draft of this report. We are also grateful to Prof. Dr. Jagan Nath Shrestha, Director, Center for Energy
Studies, Institute of Engineering, TU for reviewing this report and providing valuable comments and feedback.
Similarly, we are also thankful to Alternative Energy Promotion Center, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government
of Nepal for contributing their valuable time in verifying the information provided in this book. The roles of Ms. Jun
Hada and Mr. Min Bikram Malla from the Programme - Improving Access to Infrastructure Services, Practical Action
Nepal Office are equally commendable in coordinating and providing their inputs to finalise this report. I would like
to thank Mr. Upendra Shrestha and Ms. Shradha Giri from Fundraising and Communications Unit for their contribution
to give this book a final shape for publication. Finally, I would like to thank those organisations and individuals who
provided necessary information to prepare this report.
Achyut Luitel
Country Director
Practical Action Nepal Office