Workshop on Improved Cook Stove Distribution Monitoring held

Union Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation U Khin Maung Yi attended an opening ceremony of “Project Monitoring and Evaluation Workshop” under “The Project of CCC Program of Activities for Distribution of Improved Cook Stoves in Developing South and Southeast Asian Countries (Myanmar)” co-organized by the Dry Zone Greening Department of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation of Myanmar and the Climate Change Centre (CCC) of the Republic of Korea, at Thingaha Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
Speaking at the event, the Union minister said 70 per cent of the country’s population lives in rural areas and uses firewood and charcoal as a major fuel. The annual firewood demand is about 17 million cubic tonnes, and the higher demand for firewood fuel is a primary challenge in implementing the processes for sustainability of forest resources, protection of remaining natural forest resources and combating desertification.
He continued that the Dry Zone Greening Department set plans to reduce the use of firewood, promoting the utilization of firewood substitutes and protection of remaining natural forests since 1997. This project is implemented with the collaboration of the Dry Zone Greening Department and the Climate Change Center of the Republic of Korea to implement mitigation of carbon emission and small-scale clean development project in Sagaing, Mandalay and Magway Regions starting from 2018 under a six-year project term.
During the project period, it is estimated to distribute 500,000improved cookstoves, which can save 40 per cent of fuelwood, to 218,678 households in 1,109villages in six districts, and it has already distributed over 438,000 stoves to date and could help reduce over 485,000 tonnes of carbon emission.
Then, he viewed round the displayed research posters of project implementation, work implementation posters, and agricultural waste, which can be used as fuelwood substitutes and fuel-efficient cook stoves, and gave necessary instructions. — MNA/KTZH