Bhajani: Hemraj Chaudhary, a resident of Bhajani Municipality-9, has long struggled with financial constraints, relying on firewood from a nearby community forest for cooking. Recently, his reliance on firewood has ended, bringing him immense joy as he received a gas stove and cylinder from the Om Shanti Community Forest.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Hemraj is among 180 families who have moved away from dependence on firewood thanks to the community forest’s initiative to distribute gas stoves and cylinders to financially disadvantaged users. Hemraj expressed relief, saying, “When we get a gas stove, we make use of it. The compulsion to go to the forest and look for firewood has ended.”
Madhu Devi Chaudhary, another beneficiary, shared her happiness over no longer needing to burn firewood for meal preparation. “By-gone are the days of wood. Now I utilize my time to serve other purposes,” she said, appreciating the stove and cylinder.
Sunita Chaudhary, a consumer, recounted her annual worries during the rainy season when stored wood would get soaked. “Now that painstaking moment will not come back. Cooking has become easier after getting gas at home,” she added.
Asharam Chaudhary, from a poor family, noted that the provision of gas stoves by the community forest would save time, allowing more focus on productive activities. “One had to go in search of firewood. Besides, cooking food was also a daily routine of a person,” she explained.
According to Forest Chair Raj Kumar Chaudhary, the distribution of gas stoves to 180 families was funded at Rs 8,000 per family, using the forest’s income. He stated, “Every year, we had to provide firewood to the users. Due to lack of wood as per their demand, swathe of forest land has started getting polluted.” He expressed hope that with more families accessing gas stoves, forest protection efforts would improve.