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Clean energy for remote mountain communities

09.11.2016

Energy-efficient stoves, solar cookers and solar lanterns will improve the lives of mountain inhabitants in the upper part of the Bartang Valley, Tajikistan. Twenty of the most vulnerable families, about 140 people, in the mountain villages of Savnob and Roshorv in the Bartang Valley received sets of clean energy equipment. Each set consisted of a parabolic solar cooker, an energy-efficient stove and a portable lamp with a solar panel and charging function for mobile devices.

Little Earth distributed these sets among twenty women who are participants of the project "Clean Energy and Women on the Roof of the World". This project is being implemented in Savnob and Roshorv with the support of the United States Forest Service and assistance of the NGO "Oyandasoz", a local partner in Bartang Valley.

"The combined use of solar cookers and efficient stoves for cooking will significantly reduce fuel consumption by over 70 percent, will reduce indoor pollution and will positively contribute to the conservation of the already-sparse vegetation and the fragile mountain ecosystems," said Anton Timoshenko, a representative of Little Earth.

The solar lanterns will become a good alternative to kerosene lamps and candles, which are often used by the mountain inhabitants as a source of light. Solar lamps are more bright and convenient. They help to save money, do not produce smoke and are safer than kerosene lamps. Thanks to solar lanterns, families will have the opportunity to work, study and do housework after dark.

In addition, two solar water collectors were installed in the two villages. In Roshorv, a solar water heater was placed on the roof of a public bath. In Savnob, a water collector will also serve a public shower room, which is managed by the local public organization "Muslim". Solar water heaters will help to improve sanitation and will be a good demonstration of the benefits of solar energy.

In the upper part of the Bartang River Valley, many local communities still live without access to electricity. Families here are dependent on wood, shrubs or dried dung for cooking and heating their homes. Destruction of vegetation leads to increased soil degradation, deterioration of pastures and more frequent natural disasters. Over many years, Little Earth has contributed to the development and implementation of sustainable energy solutions at the local community level.

News and photo by Timur Idrisov, Little Earth

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