Production, use of bioenergy on the rise: study report

KATHMANDU: The production and use of bioenergy based on forest resources are on the rise of late, shows a study report prepared by the National Forum for Advocacy Nepal (NAFAN) in collaboration with Global Forest Coalition and Environmental Paper Network. The latest bioenergy supply report puts it that the use of bioenergy was increased by threefold since 2000. The report further states that once biomass is turned into energy, it has a negative impact on climate. Till date, the rural areas in Nepal still use firewood, dried cow dung and trash from the agriculture sector which consists of 70% of the total fuel. In Nepal, there are some 10 biomass energy companies producing energy (bio briquette, pellet etc) based on forest resources and marketing the products. Some of these have contracts with the government for biomass collection and use and have begun production as well. The report however said it will not make the biomass collection sustainable, but decrease forest cover. The biomass collection is the collection of grass, leaves, foliage and trees as well. The government has been suggested to immediately scrap the biomass energy strategy 2017, and introduce a new energy policy after holding wider discussions and consultations. The commercialisation of traditional bioenergy must be ended thereby ensuring indigenous communities' rights to forest resources, the report recommends. READ ALSO:

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