1 June 2008
Dolpa, Nepal – WWF (NMCP) Dolpa and various partner organizations has been successful in distributing solar Electrification in fully lighting the buffer zone areas of the Shey Phoksundo National Park of upper Dolpa. With the current distribution of 251 solar sets supported by the Kadoorie Charitable Foundation, WWF(NMCP)Dolpa in total has supported 692 households out of 859 households for solar electrification in the high altitude regions of upper Dolpa. To enhance the lighting and create a smokeless indoor environment, the solar program has also been supported by the distribution of smokeless stoves.

       Setting up a solar panel

The local communities of Dolpa earlier used "Diyalos"- burning barks of trees and expensive kerosene-lit lamps to meet the lighting needs. However, with the intervention of WWF (NMCP) Dolpal's energy program and support from partners like the Kadoorie Charitable Foundation, the use of “Diyalos” has been removed from their daily life and put to an end, bringing about a visible change in health and education of the people of upper Dolpa.

Likewise, WWF Nepal with support from USAID Nepal commissioned a 35kW Chaalgadh Micro Hydro Scheme and a 29kW Mahadev Line Extension Scheme in the buffer zone areas of lower Dolpa benefiting 181 and 149 households respectively in the year 2007.
The people of dolpa & community are looking forward to do continue such program in coming days. Now a days The program of WWF(NMCP) Dolpa has been finished & have been back to their headquarter in Kathmandu.

Smokeless Stoves have reduced the health hazards