Alternative energy more cost effective

Itahari, July 3 (RSS): A day-long exhibition of renewable energy technology organised by His Majesty's Government, Ministry of Science and Technology, Alternative Energy Promotion Centre and the Krishna Grills and Engineering Works Private Limited, Biratnagar began in Dharan on Sunday.

The alternative energy development technology exhibition was organised with the objective of publicising the cost effectiveness and the relatively better efficiency of solar energy technology and peltric sets in remote mountainous districts where hydroelectricity can be quite expensive in terms of the cost and benefit aspect.

The use, expansion and development of alternative sources of energy which are cost effective and technologically suitable for such areas would help reduce the use of firewood and thus contribute to environmental conservation.

Inaugurating the exhibition, Dharan Mayor Manoj Kumar Myangbo said that His Majesty's Government, by giving priority to the development and use of renewable energy sources, has contributed in lighting up the homes of village people in remote areas.

Mayor Myangbo said that expansion of solar energy technology and installation of peltric sets in Ilam, Panchthar, Terhathum and other districts of eastern Nepal has opened up greater economic opportunities in the villages.

Director of the alternative energy promotion centre Dr Madan Bahadur Basnet underlined the need for expansion of alternative sources of energy in a mountainous country like ours where installation, expansion and transmission of hydroelectric power is quite costly.

Adam Fredens of the lotus energy, chief of Dharan Multiple Campus Kumar Karki, exhibition coordinator Ganesh Kumar Shrestha, general secretary of the Dharan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mohan Kaji Shakya and managing director of Krishna Grills and engineering limited Lav Mani Rajbhandari also expressed their views on the occasion.

The exhibition features various alternative lighting technologies developed by the Kathmandu Power Company, Lotus Energy, the alternative Energy Promotion Centre, the rural technology Centre-Nepal, Suryodaya Energy Private Limited, Solar Electricity Company Kathmandu, energy and environment centre Kathmandu, Bijdan Light Group Private Limited and other companies.

In Manthali, a five-day training in herbs management conducted by the Ministry of Local Development, remote areas development committee and the herbs production and processing company ltd concluded recently.

Altogether 24 herb farmers and collectors took part in the training held with a view to raising the income level of local farmers through systematic preservation and cultivation of locally available herbs.

Instructor Sangeeta Kharel imparted knowledge to the trainees about identification of herbs, their usefulness, primary sources, cultivation, setting up nurseries and marketing.

Ramechhap DDC president Kaushal Dhungel chaired the inaugural function at which various speakers spoke of the need for proper preservation of herbs and for raising the economic status of local farmers.