Five Hundred Domestic Energy Saving Cook Stoves Constructed Around Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Blog | 25/02/25
IGCP through its Vanishing Treasures Project has trained the community and constructed over 500 domestic energy saving cook stoves in 13 villages surrounding Mgahinga Gorilla National Park – 40 stoves per village. Domestic energy saving cook stoves is one of The Vanishing Treasures climate smart interventions aimed at protecting the environment through the provision of alternative climate friendly fuel options for communities.
The stoves were introduced to provide a smarter and climate-friendly cooking alternative. They use very little wood and cook faster. Communities have been encouraged to also plant trees for fuel in their homesteads and gardens. And this is gradually going to minimize deforestation and human presence in the park in search for fuel.
Beneficiaries from the different villages credit these stoves for being smart, efficient, affordable and a healthy fuel option that’s addressing both conservation and human wildlife conflict.
“For the short time we have used these stoves, they have kept us from encroaching on the park in search for firewood. These stoves use very little firewood, which is readily available in our compounds, and can cook at least 3 different meals at ago,” says Sammuel Bisanukuri, Resident of Kabale Village, Nyarusiza sub-county.
Anonciata Nyirantezimana, another resident of Kabale, credits the stoves for saving time and being an environmentally friendly alternative. “With the stoves, we can now prepare healthy meals in a very short time as opposed to before when we relied on hazardous plastics for fuel,” says Nyirantezimana.
Kenneth Kabebasiza, The Vanishing Treasures Project Assistant says since the launch of this initiative in October 2024 by IGCP, residents have been equipped with knowledge and skills to construct their own energy saving cook stoves.
“We hired trainers who are also community members from Nkuringo in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where phase one of the project had successfully been piloted. The trainers have adequate skills in the construction of domestic energy cook stoves and are mandated to support the community in the construction of energy stoves and or sensitizing them about their benefits. The trainers are helping IGCP to scale up the initiative in the neighboring villages” says Kenneth Kabebasiza.
Following a successful first phase in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, IGCP in 2024 launched the Vanishing Treasures Project – Phase II in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
