New technology launched to control charcoal burning
The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and the United Nations Development Programme, has introduced new charcoal burning technologies to protect environment.
Kampala. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and the United Nations Development Programme, has introduced new charcoal burning technologies to protect environment.
“Over 90 per cent of the population depends on biomass for energy but the charcoal sub sector has not been given attention. The campaign is aimed at ensuring that the country has enough charcoal production as well as forest and trees for sustainable production,” Mr Simon Peter Amunau, the UNDP programme coordinator, said.
He was speaking at the release of findings of the National Charcoal Survey in Kampala on Thursday.
Mr Amunau said the green charcoal project will transform how charcoal is produced, transported and used in the country to ensure steady production without depleting trees and forests.
He said through engagement with charcoal users at different levels, reckless cutting of trees will be controlled.
The green charcoal project aims at encouraging and supporting tree planting across the country and providing improved technologies on charcoal management.
The technologies include casamance and retort means of production as well as bracketing machines for turning charcoal dust into brickets.
Mr Amunau said the project is being piloted in Kiboga, Kiryandongo, Mubende and Nakaseke districts but will be rolled out countrywide by end of this year.
Mr Wilson Wafula, the acting commissioner at the Ministry of Energy, said the project was initiated to curb destruction of national forests.
“We, therefore, call upon the people involved in charcoal burning to visit the ministry or their district forestry offices to learn more about these new charcoal production technologies,” Mr Wafula added.
