Chulhas & Bio Gas

In most villages Chulhas or firewood stoves are mainly used in many households for cooking. This generates a lot of smoke, which is one of the main causes for breathing problems amongst the village folks. To overcome this issue, the Art of Living volunteers alongwith 48 families in Satara village, India, built smokeless chulas. As a result, health of women has improved and less wood is used.

The challenge

In most villages Chulhas or firewood is mainly used in many households for cooking. This generates a lot of smoke, which is one of the main causes for breathing problems amongst the village folks.

Less wood, better health

To overcome this issue 48 families in Satara Village, India, voluntarily took part in building smokeless Chulhas under guidelines set by the Foundation. 250 people benefited from the project and would like to implement this for the rest of the 2000 people in their village and other villages throughout India.

Producing biogas

As another answer to this problem, gober gas plants were set up in some villages. This involves mixing cattle dung and water in a tank which then produces methane. The gas is carried by a pipe to the stove and works as any normal gas stove. The remaining mass is put into a slurry tank and used directly as organic manure. Along with being user-friendly, GGP is a much more eco-friendly option over firewood. With government aid, Art of Living has helped build seven such plants. 15 more are under construction.