An environment-friendly stove is gaining popularity in the district due to its many advantages over normal cookers.
Emission of carbon from the environment-friendly chula is lower than that of a traditional chula, and it gives more heat with less wood. It does not emit smoke, so it will not cause respiratory problems. It is also easy to make.
Around three lakh families in nine upazilas of the district are using this oven, said District Department of Environment (DoE) Assistant Director Emdadul Huq.
Champa Rani Das, 30, a housewife of Sangdia village in Kachua upazila, said her husband bought a five-foot-long concrete pipe with an angle and gave her directions on how to make it with earth from a nearby canal.
“I like it as it does not create smoke and needs less wood to cook. Another advantage is that the heat directly helps to cook food and does not spread. I have been using this chula [oven] for two years," she said.
Housewife Dipa said she bought an oven from Signboard bazar in Kacua upazila. The seller set up the chula in her kitchen and gave her instructions for its best use, she added.
A private women's development organization, Shukti Mahila Unnayan Sangstha, is working in the district for production and marketing of the improved chula.
