Biogas is making its way to Gashikhar Tshatshi chiwog in Pema Gatshel. As a result, many households in the chiwog are switching to a sustainable source of energy.
Putur is among the first villagers whose biogas plant is under construction. Having depended on firewood and LPG for years, she is adapting to the change with optimism.
“If we opt for biogas, we will not have to use firewood. Moreover, we don’t have to spend money on refilling LPG cylinders.”
Like Putur, more than 30 households in the chiwog have registered with the livestock sector to construct biogas plants. The sector provides technical support and materials for the plant’s construction through the agriculture and forests ministry’s Commercial Agriculture & Resilient Livelihoods Enhancement Programme (CARLEP).
According to the villagers, against the spiralling cost of cooking gas, biogas is a cheaper option. Moreover, it is environmentally safe.
“We spend around Nu 3,000 on transportation while refilling our gas cylinders and another Nu 900 as the refilling charge,” says Nidup Dorji.
He adds that villagers will no longer have to worry about the shortage of LPG cylinders in times like today once the biogas plants are operational.
Meanwhile, many more in Gashikhar Tshatshi are interested in switching to biogas but have not registered yet due to financial constraints. However, the livestock sector will look at supporting them in the next financial year.
As an alternative energy source, biogas has been gaining momentum in the country since 2011 with the Bhutan Biogas Project. It was initiated to provide a sustainable energy source for households with livestock and help them reduce their dependence on firewood and fossil fuels.
Today there are over 3,000 biogas plants in the country, of which Samtse has the highest.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by Sonam Wangdi
