Gadchiroli talukas receive 20,000 smokeless chulhas

Gadchiroli: An estimated 41,000 tonnes of firewood will be saved annually in Gadchiroli as govt and its private partners completed free distribution of 20,000 smokeless stoves, according to information provided by the district collector's office.The stoves were sent to households across Dhanora and Etapalli talukas, and officials said beneficiaries have reported a significant reduction in indoor smoke and air pollution. A smokeless stove, also known as a smokeless chulha, is an efficient cooking device designed to burn firewood with near-complete combustion, drastically cutting indoor air pollution and lowering fuel consumption. Unlike a traditional chulha, it uses a secondary combustion chamber that burns the unburnt gases escaping primary fire, converting them into heat rather than smoke. Engineered vents supply controlled oxygen, ensuring cleaner burning and greater thermal efficiency.The collector's office said over 19,600 families have adopted the improved stoves so far. Around 95% of families reported a significant reduction in time spent on cooking, collecting firewood, freeing up time on education and self-employment. Before the initiative, many women made daily trips into forests to gather fuelwood. The improved stoves have reduced firewood dependence. The initiative is expected to prevent approximately 9,200 tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalent greenhouse gas emissions each year.CM Devendra Fadnavis said the initiative has brought positive change to tribal families in Dhanora and Etapalli and the model could be extended to other remote districts across the state.