Gas stoves, cylinders distributed to poor

By Our Correspondent,Nepalgunj, Apr. 5: A community forest in Banke has distributed gas stoves, cylinders and motors for pumping water to underprivileged consumers to protect them from air pollution along with the protection of community forest. Saraswati Community Forest of Ward No. 3 of Rapti-Sonari Rural Municipality has distributed the relief materials to 70 impoverished households, according to chairman of Saraswati Community Users Group Rajmoti Tharu.

The goods were distributed with the support of the Saraswati Community Forest User Group's pro-poor programme.

The Vice Chairman of Rapti-Sonari Rural Municipality, Manisha Singh Tharu, expressed her happiness over distribution of the gas stoves, cylinders, and motors as they could save a lot of time and help reduce air pollution.  She said that the use of firewood would decrease along with the risk of air pollution when gas is used to cook. 

  Rajamoti Tharu, the Chair of the Saraswati Community Forest Users’ Group, mentioned that during the monsoon season, there are problems with water supply and cooking food becomes difficult after the firewood gets wet. 

Therefore, they have distributed gas cylinders and gas stoves to the community as a solution to this problem. According to Tharu, there are 103 members in the Saraswati Community Forest Consumer Group, which is the newest community forest users’ group formed in Rapti-Sonari Rural Municipality.