A Letter of Understanding (LoU) has been signed for implementing the project on ‘Improving Environment through Reduction in Woodcutting and Remission in Greenhouse Gases through Fuel Efficient Technologies” in District Kohistan in NWFP Province of Pakistan.’
The agreement – signed between Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) and National Integrated & Development Association (NIDA), Pakistan, based in Besham, District Kohistan, NWFP – aims at raising awareness through social mobilisation and training in the communities and schools on protection of environmental health and climate change, planning workshops, social mobilisation, formation of village-based organisations and project visibility.
Under the agreement, the two organisations would introduce fuel and energy-efficient technologies, i.e. smokeless stoves and solar dryers in 20 villages to improve livelihood and environmental conditions of the communities; identify and train blacksmiths for local stove production; and train local women at home on the use of fuel-efficient stoves. LoU also takes care of distributing industrial-made stoves in the poorest and most venerable community members.
Dr Zia ur Rahman Farooqi, Chief Executive NIDA, and Dr Abid Suleri, Executive Director SDPI, signed the agreement on behalf of the respective organisations. Mr Zahoor Ullah Babar and Dr Mahmood A Khwaja from NIDA and SDPI respectively would be the focal persons for the programme and activities.
The Asia Pacific Forum for Environment & Development (APFED), Japan, approved the project for funding as one of the 10 ‘show case’ projects from over 1,000 projects, submitted from the Asia-Pacific region for 2009-10.
Source – http://www.thenews.com.pk/print1.asp?id=219600
