Nepal: Environmental protection in the high mountains
The area around Karnali is by far the poorest and removed from the 14 administrative zones of Nepal. A total of 50 villages in the districts of Kalikot, Mugo and Humla can only be reached very difficult from the capital Kathmandu. Life of more than 3,000 meters is deprived. The people in this poor area get little from the tourist flows that start their hikes in this impressive mountain country based on Kathmandu. The population in this remote region, in which villages can only be reached in several days of foot marches, has to struggle with completely different problems: electricity is either not at all or only available by the hour.
And with the consequences of the climate crisis, the Nepalese in this barren area have to struggle: The irregular rainy periods and longer drying times are bad for a farm, which is predominantly dependent on rainwater, which only allows a harvest a year anyway. In addition, the glaciers melt away, which initially leads to a flooding of the glacier lakes - but has a negative effect on drinking water supply and agriculture in the districts in the long term. Terre des Hommes, together with the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, therefore supports several measures for better energy supply as well as to mitigate the climate crisis and is one of the few non -governmental organizations that are a foresight in this difficult to access.
The Terre of the Hommes project partner Hurendec helps the local population to build systems for energy generation such as biogas plants. They provide energy for gas stoves and thus contribute to reducing the deforestation. The same applies to energy -saving ovens that are still fueled with wood, but form more closed systems than the conventional stoves that use more firewood due to their open construction. Solar systems, on the other hand, provide a sufficient amount of electricity for some light bulbs, which reduces the use of lamps and thus saves energy and also protects the budget of households. The reduced need for wood is also a work easier for women who are mainly responsible for collecting firewood. The same applies to the improvement of the operation of traditional water mills, which were usually operated with wooden bikes. A simple technical upgrading of the mills through metal wheels increases their grinding performance and reduces the waiting time for women, because they can have larger quantities grinded in the same time. The program is complemented by workshops in which women and young people get to know their rights and learn how to enforce them.
The program is co -financed by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).