Mr. Ribombo Tamang, a tea-shop owner, is one amongst the many happy villagers of Rasuwa, Nepal. The reason behind his happiness is non-other than the newly constructed Improved Cook Stove (ICS) installed in his kitchen.

Due to the ICS, he can serve customers faster than before as it has two potholes to cook food and takes less time for cooking. Also, environment inside the shop is now very clean and smokeless as ICS exhaust all smoke outside the building through chimney.

Now, people enjoy eating and drinking in his shop and by one month his sales had increased by more than 15%.

Besides, he can spend more time in other income generating activities, as only less time is required to collect the fuel wood now. His shop has set an example in the area.

Environmental Camps for Conservation Awareness (ECCA) has been promoting Improved Cooking Stove (ICS) by integrating it with social awareness and community development programme.

The traditional open cook stove consumes 30% more fuel wood. In addition, emission of relatively high level of carbon monoxide from these open stoves and poor ventilation contributes to high concentration of emission within rural houses, particularly in kitchens - which affects the health of the family .