Health risks, environmental pollution low for IDCOL’s improved cookstoves
Health risks, environmental pollution
low for IDCOL’s improved cookstoves
Speakers at a roundtable meeting
Considering environmental pollution and health risks, two and a half crore Improved Cook Stove (ICSs) will be replaced in the country by 2030. So far 4 million improved stoves have been replaced. This is checking health risks of women and children as well as reducing environmental pollution.
Mr. Alamgir Morshed, Executive Director & CEO of Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) said this in a roundtable discussion at a hotel in the capital on Tuesday.
The roundtable meeting was held under the theme 'Achieving 100% Clean Cooking Target in Bangladesh: Role of IDCOL’s Improved Cook Stove (ICS) Program' jointly organized by IDCOL and Banik Barta. The Head of Renewable Energy of IDCOL, Mr. Md. Enamul Karim Pavel delivered a special speech.
The keynote article was presented by Md. Abdullah Hell Baki, Unit Head of IDCOL's Improved Cook Stove (ICS) Program. Ms. Sazia Islam, Assistant Scientific Officer of ICDDR,B also delivered a presentation on a research related to IDCOL’s ICS program. As a partner of IDCOL, Bangladesh Center for Communication Programs (BCCP) provided overall support for organizing this roundtable. Besides, it arranged publication of news in various national newspapers that helped create awareness among mass people for using ICSs.
Mr. Dewan Hanif Mahmun, Editor, Bonik Barta, Mr. Md. Abdullah Abraham Hossain, Deputy Project Director, Department of Forestry, Dr. Md. Mominur Rahman, Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, BUET, Dr. S. M. Asaduzzaman Sujan, Principal Scientific Officer, BCSIR, Dr. M. Rezwan Khan, Professor Emeritus, United International University, Ms. Tanuja Bhattacharjee, Energy Specialist, World Bank, Dr. Md. Ahsan Ali, Executive Director, ASHRAI, Mr. Shahidul Haque, Executive Director, Md. Kamruzzaman, Director, SARPV, Mr. Chiranjit Paul, Sr. Deputy Operative Director, Md. Akter Hamid, Deputy Director, Walton, Mr. Md. Taibur Rahman Bishwas, AGM, Mr. Md. Masud Rana, Senior Manager, RFL, Ms. Sajia Islam, Research Investigator, ICDDRB, journalists from Banik Barta, and an ICS user, Roksana Akter attended.
Alamgir Morshed said that the investment in an ICS is only two to three dollars. What is the role of two or three dollars? It was seen that this two-three dollar investment has a very important social and economic impact. Big things can be achieved with small things.
Dr. M. Rezwan Khan said, “If we can reduce local pollution keeping global pollution levels the same, it will be possible to reduce health costs. The costs for fuel are almost the same as that for inhalers and other drugs combined. The biggest advantage of choosing electric cooking is that we have options. We can install solar PV on rooftops. Switching to electric cooking is profitable.”
“The tree planted now will eventually end its life, and will produce methane even if it’s not burnt. That is why it is not possible to go completely electric cooking. Reducing local pollution is very important considering both local and global pollution and health risks,” he further said.
Dr. Md. Mominur Rahman pointed out the fuel capacity of the stoves made by IDCOL. He said that the capacity of ICSs has now been increased to 35 percent. Whatever we do, it has to be customer-friendly. Their health, economic issues should be more clear. Only then people will be interested.
Alamgir Morshed said, “We expect to become a middle income country soon. Now we don't like clay-made stove in our kitchens. We will go to e-cooking (electronic oven). We have to work with various partners. We will work together with our partners to make e-cooking technology economically viable”.
Mr. Md. Enamul Karim Pavel said, “We have taken an initiative for research and implementation of energy saving projects like, ICS, e-cooking. IDCOL will take this work further by discussing with various stakeholders here. We hope to work more extensively so that customers become interested in using these types of stoves.
Mr. Md. Enamul Karim Pavel delivered a gave the closing speech at the roundtable meeting moderated by Badrul Alam, Chief Reporter of Banik Barta.