Solar Cookers

Nepal was once known for its dense forest, however in present only 29% of the cover remains. About 87% of the domestic energy in Nepal is produced by firewood. This percentage is close to unity in remote regions. Wood is used for cooking as well as space heating. The shortage of fuel wood in many parts of Nepal is prominent and collection has become more and more time consuming. Usually it is women and children who collect and carry wood to their home to use for food preparation. On an average, 4-6 hours a day is spent on collection of fire wood. In this context, cooking with the help of solar energy can be one of the solutions for this alarming situation. 

Solar cooking is a matured technology which many of the developing countries like India, China etc. has successfully promoted. There are several hundred thousand solar cookers in India and China. 

Principle:

Though there is various type of solar cooker. The basic principle is to convert the sunlight into heat. Some of the basic principles are – 

• Concentrating sunlight: A reflective mirror of polished glass, metal or metalized film is used to concentrate light and heat from the sun into a small cooking area, making the energy more concentrated and increasing its heating power.

• Converting light to heat: A black or low reflectivity surface on a food container or the inside of a solar cooker will improve the effectiveness of turning light into heat. Light absorption converts the sun's visible light into heat, substantially improving the effectiveness of the cooker.

 

• Trapping heat: It is important to reduce convection by isolating the air inside the cooker from the air outside the cooker. A plastic bag or tightly sealed glass cover will trap the hot air inside. This makes it possible to reach similar temperatures on cold and windy days as on hot days.

Types 

In general there are two type of solar cooker. The box-type and concentration type. 

Green carpet landscapes

        To reclaim the landscape at a project construction site and concern for the environment promotion Geo-green Erosion Control Blanket was introduced, so as to enable vegetation taking early hold in gripping the deep excavated soil together. Made out of coconut fiber, these blankets not only retain water for longer periods but over a time period gradually biodegrades naturally to fully blend with the soil conditions. Rock soils and other mud dug out from deep tunnels for the projects are normally sterile towards vegetative growth till weathering over a long period of time enables plant growth at the muck dump yards. For natural regeneration to reclaim such extreme soil conditions, vegetation requires at least two, if not more growing seasons to succeed.

         To over the problems of re-vegetation, to stabilize slopes and to check erosion, undulation of the dump yard slopes are first leveled before a layer of fertile top soil is laid over it. To prepare a rich top soil, ready to use soil preparations are imported, mixed at a 60:40 ratio with existing soils and manure is added to obtain a healthy and plant nutritious soil layer. Seeds of locally prevalent plants are mixed into the top layer before a Geo-green Erosion Control Blanket is laid out on the slope. .The green blanket is designed and developed to provide solutions to erosion control problems and slope stabilization.

       Besides the seeds planted, cutting and plants of species such as Hopseed  - Dodonaea viscosa, Silver Oak- Grevillea robusta, Bougainvillea and Subabul- Leucaena leucocephala are planted onto the treated slopes.

Current Scenario of Government undertaking industries in Western Development Region of Nepal

Industries and factories are back bone of nation development. They are responsible for generation of products for nation as well as providing employment for people. If we look recent trend there is more import of goods almost all types rather than export which leads for outgoing of billions of money. The industries having solid foundation as well proud history reflecting not only nation name inside country but beyond regional and national boundary are on brink of shut down.

The western development region is not only host of touristic centres but also an industrial hub of Nepal. This region proudly owns private as well as public industries producing sugar, paper, thread, cement, rubber and other daily products. The private industries are sustaining and flourishing despite various hurdles like manpower crisis, power shortage, availability of market , labor union issues(To sum up few major ones). The Choudary group, Panchakanya steels, Nepal hydro Electric limited, Butwal Power Company(to name few) are successfully running their operation.

If we talk about industries under government then their condition is beyond imaginable. Below we will discuss the details about few industries under government undertakings:

1.Gorakhali Rubber Udyog: It only opens few months throughout whole year. Most the equipment’s installed are working but strike of worker , union issues and lack of market is causing major hindrance for smooth operation of rubber plant. The worker are on pay scale and enjoy all facilities with zero productivity.

2.Bhurikuti Paper Mill: This paper industry is almost dilapidated and has been closed since long time finally turned into ruins. The re-running will require huge makeover and investment. The equipment’s used are almost no use.

3. Sunal Sugar Mill: The sugar mill once used to produce sugar which was more than enough for national consumption. The operation of mill is limited to sugar seasons only and production with one section use of mill. Due to repeated strike by sugarcane farmer and mill authority over price of sugar it remains closed almost all seasons.

4. Hydro Power Station: This region houses major three hydro station i.e Kaligandaki A, Madya Marasyandi, Lower Marasyandi.But due to extreme load of generation of electric power and pressure from load distribution centre, they are operating without proper repair and maintenance.They require immediate shutdown for short period so all necessary repairing work can be done. Due to use of advance technology they will lighten Nepali house still for coming decades.

So good national industrial policy, power supply, no political interference, good management handling, market place will require to uplift status of industry.