Bio-Briquette: Alternative Energy Source
Most villagers use firewood to cook their food and this is generally collected illegally from the Park. To discourage deforestation and to raise awareness of environment conservation, Karnali Lodge is encouraging a Tharu women’s group to produce bio-briquette as an alternative energy source. Briquettes are made from any waste products generated in the home, schools, farmland, hotels, etc. They shred, soak, press and dry the waste organic material, and the finished product is a thick, disk–shaped briquette that burns in a variety of stoves including local mud stoves. Producing bio-briquette not only helps to save the forest but can also help to keep the environment clean and healthy. Large scale production of briquettes means an opportunity for income generation.