Mongla: The formal inauguration of the Improved Cooking Stove (ICS) Distribution Programme, organised by WildTeam, was held on Monday at the WildTeam Conservation Biology Centre in the Joymoni area of Mongla, Bagerhat. The initiative aims to reduce the use of fuelwood among forest-edge communities and lessen their dependence on the Sundarbans.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Md Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Sundarban East Forest Division, attended the programme as the chief guest. In his speech, he addressed the audience's reliance on firewood from the forest and emphasized the need to transition to market-bought wood and alternative fuels to protect the Sundarbans. He highlighted the efficiency of improved stoves in reducing cooking time and smoke, thereby decreasing the need for firewood and enhancing safety by mitigating fire risks.
Joymoni, a forest-edge area, heavily depends on fuelwood for cooking, increasing pressure on forest resources. The use of improved stoves is expected to reduce fuelwood consumption, smoke production, health risks, and associated costs, contributing to long-term forest conservation efforts. The programme builds on previous successes between 2018 and 2025, where interventions in three Tiger Tolerant Villages in the Sundarbans resulted in a 30% reduction in household fuelwood use.
With support from Echotex and Echonits, a UK-Bangladesh joint venture, the current initiative plans to distribute 1,000 improved stoves and 50 solar lights over the next five years, including 200 stoves in the current year. The initiative also includes solar lighting installations to improve safety and reduce wildlife intrusions. Prior to implementation, baseline surveys, beneficiary selection, and awareness meetings were conducted. Monitoring will continue to evaluate changes in fuelwood use and provide evidence-based results.
WildTeam expressed gratitude to the Forest Department, local administration, and stakeholders for their support, emphasizing that active community participation will be crucial for the initiative's success. The organisation stated, "We want sustainable change that is measurable and long-lasting. This initiative starting from Joymoni will improve household wellbeing while creating a real and positive impact on Sundarbans conservation."