Guintha still a vital fuel source in Rautahat villages

Chandranigapur (Rautahat) April 12: Irrespective of the government's policy to increase the domestic consumption of electricity, a clean energy available in the country, in the wake of fuel crisis, rural households in Rautahat district are resorting to traditional sources of energy for cooking. Guintha, cow dung cake, has re-emerged as a practical and reliable household fuel.

For generations, guintha has been used in mud stoves, especially by the families who cannot afford liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). However, with the current shortage and rising cost of petroleum products, even those who once relied on LPG are now shifting back to this age-old alternative.

Aditya Kumar Rajak, a resident of Brindawan Municipality-1, shared that his household had recently begun using guintha again. He added that it produces comparatively less smoke than firewood and is more efficient for cooking. “With firewood becoming scarce due to deforestation and limited access to forests, guintha has become the most accessible and affordable option,” he said.

The preparation of guintha involves mixing cow dung with agricultural byproducts such as husk, straw and corn cobs, which are then shaped and dried for use as fuel. This method remains widely practiced across rural communities in the Terai-Madhesh region.

Ashok Yadav of Gadhimai Municipality-8 said that the cow dung cakes continue to serve as a reliable alternative fuel source. “The raw materials are locally available, and it is cost-effective too. For many families, it is not just an alternative but a necessity,” he added..

As reliance on guintha grows, locals including Yadav calls on the government to introduce clear policies and plans to support and promote its use in rural areas.

It also underlines the urgency of promoting clean energy, electricity, by addressing the locals' needs for adopting it.  (RSS)