Fuel-Efficient Stoves: Protecting Women, Preserving Nature in Gilgit-Baltistan

by Rabiya Kamran, Project Communications Support Officer, Climate Resilience Programme, RECCU

November 28, 2024

“As a young girl, I was cooking over a wooden fire when it suddenly flared up, burning my face. I was alone at home and by the time help came, my dupatta (shawl) had stuck to my face. The scars from that day are visible on my face till today,” recalls Hameeda.

a group of people sitting on a couch — Hameeda narrating her story at her home in Staqchan.

A resident of Staqchan, a remote village lying at an altitude of 10,000 feet in Gilgit-Baltistan’s majestic Shagarthang Valley, Hameeda’s story is one that captures the dangers women in her community battle with daily.

With temperatures falling well below -10°C in winters, villagers must keep their homes – made from wood, mud, and stone – warm. The weight of this responsibility falls on the shoulders of women and young girls.

a person standing next to a tree — Women carrying stacks of firewood on their backs in Staqchan.

Every few days, they walk for four hours on treacherous terrain into the forests to collect about 5-6 kilograms of firewood, their hands calloused, and their backs bent from the physical toll of the task. This firewood is also used for cooking, which is done by women on open-flame, wood-burning stoves in cramped spaces that lack proper ventilation.

a person cooking food in a bowl — Cooking in an open-flame, wood-burning stove.

These stoves can cause serious safety and health risks as intense flames and limited ventilation not only expose the women to fire-related accidents, but the smoke also contributes to poor air quality inside the homes. For vulnerable groups, such as children and the elderly, the smoke-laden air poses significant health risks including respiratory illnesses, skin rashes and eye infections.

Hameeda, now a mother of four, has not forgotten the accident she had many years ago and knows too well the dangers facing her children, especially her three daughters, if they use traditional cooking stoves.

A healthier, safer alternative

UNDP Pakistan, in close collaboration with local government partners – the Gilgit Baltistan Environmental Protection Agency (GB EPA) and the Gilgit Baltistan Rural Support Programme (GBRSP) – launched a green skills training program, empowering 1,000 women with essential skills, including fuel-efficient cooking. As part of UNDP's global Climate Promise initiative, the Climate Resilience Programme distributed the stoves to 40 households in Staqchan village, including Hameeda's.

a group of people standing in front of a mountain — The fuel-efficient stoves distributed to Staqchan residents.

These stoves, which use only twigs and small sticks as fuel, and feature three burners, enable women to cook and heat water simultaneously. Expected to reduce firewood consumption by half, this innovation also lessens the physical burden of collecting wood. With a chimney to vent smoke outside and an ash chamber to collect debris, these stoves improve both health and safety.

“Our main living room would fill up with smoke, forcing us to open windows and doors. In harsh winters, this meant the house wouldn’t stay warm. My children would often fall ill,” Hameeda recalls. With no doctor or hospital nearby, they would often await rides to the city from passersby for a medical check-up; otherwise, they would walk for hours.

But the new stove has changed Hameeda’s life drastically.

a person sitting in a room — Hameeda and her kids enjoying the warmth from the new stove in their living room.

“I am so happy. I want to sing and dance in joy,” Hameeda exclaimed, cradling her youngest child surrounded by her daughters. She revelled in the changes within her home. The room was warm, and the air was cleaner, thanks to the small fire burning in the newly installed fuel-efficient stove.

Hameeda no longer worries about the health risks of indoor smoke or the dangers of open flames for her children. With the stove’s efficient wood use, she will not need to trek for hours into the forest every few days either. This simple yet impactful change has reclaimed valuable time for her, time she can now spend with her family in a safer, healthier home.

a man sitting on a rock — A resident of Staqchan carries home a new fuel-efficient stove for installation.

UNDP, through its Climate Resilience Programme, has provided fuel-efficient stoves to about 100 households in districts Skardu, Diamer and Nagar of Gilgit Baltistan. This intervention, supported by GB-EPA and GBRSP, is a necessary step toward promoting sustainable practices in Staqchan and beyond.

These stoves will provide reliable warmth throughout the year, while also saving time and effort, particularly for women, who no longer need to gather large amounts of firewood. By improving indoor air quality and reducing the reliance on large quantities of firewood, this intervention not only addresses health concerns but also supports the conservation of the region’s endangered ecosystems, contributing to the overall well-being of the community.