"Saves money, saves fuel, keeps health good, Let's use "Bondhu Chula" at each household". Keeping this theme in mind, German Development Cooperation (GIZ) and Department of Environment (DoE), Ministry of Environment and Forests, are jointly implementing a program entitled 'Market Development Initiative for Bondhu Chula'. Bondhu Chula is a smoke free, environment-friendly, and fuel saving improved cook stove. As a consequence of successful implementation of the program, Adampur village of Gobindaganj Upazila under Gaibandha district has been declared as the first village with 100% Bondhu Chula users in the country. An inaugural ceremony including a discussion meeting was held at Katabari Union Parishad, Gobindaganj Upazila, Gaibandha, on Saturday, 9th November, 2013 recognizing Adampur as the first village with 100% users of Bondhu Chula. Officials from GIZ, Department of Environment (DoE), Bangladesh Climate Change Trust, local government officials as well as staff members of Bondhu Chula program were present during the occasion. At the beginning of the occasion, a group of local 'Saotal' children greeted the guests with their traditional dance and songs. Dr. Engr. M Khalequzzaman, Senior Advisor, SED project, GIZ, expressed his gratitude for this achievement and thanked the distinguished guests, partners, volunteers and all officials of this program for their sincere efforts with the hope of installing Bondhu Chula at every household of Bangladesh by 2021. At the end of the ceremony, a plaque recognizing Adampur as the first "100% Bondhu Chula users village" was inaugurated by Mr. Zahurul Islam Rohel, DC, Gaibandha district, and Quazi Sarwar Imtiaz Hashmi, Director(Planning), DoE & Project Director, Market Development Initiative for Bondhu Chula program. Besides Adampur, Kharamkhali village under Chitalmari upazila in Bagerhat district has been officially declared as a 100% Bondhu Chula user village at a ceremony held on November 21, 2013 at Chitalmari upazila Parishad office. In addition to Adampur and Kharamkhali, another 30 villages in various districts of Bangladesh also have 100% users of Bondhu Chula and will be officially declared as such in the near future.

• published: 27 Nov 2013
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