Equateur: Use of improved stoves recommended to combat deforestation

Mbandaka, July 29^th, 2025 (CPA). –  The use of improved stoves has been recommended on Tuesday in Mbandaka, the chief town of Equateur province in the west of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as an effective solution to combat deforestation, CPA has learned during an interview with an environmental expert.  ‘To combat deforestation and improve energy resource management, I recommend to the population to adopt improved stoves. This practice will promote sustainable cooking and reduce dependence on traditional firewood, commonly known as makala,’ has declared Marc Iyoma, an environmental expert.  According to him, the use of these stoves allows not only to reduce the amount of wood used to make charcoals, but also to optimise energy efficiency during cooking. This approach contributes to the protection of the environment, while offering an economical alternative to households.  Mr Iyoma has, moreover, emphasised on the importance of the awareness, calling it an essential lever to encourage the populations to adopt eco-responsible behaviours in the face of the effects of climate change.  ‘The awareness remains a key factor in making the population aware of the means of action that can mitigate the effects of climate change by reducing deforestation,’ he has indicated. Despite their proven usefulness, the improved stoves are still poorly used in Mbandaka and in the territories of the province of Equateur, he has added. The improved stoves are cooking stoves designed to be more efficient and less wood-intensive than traditional three-stone stoves. They reduce wood consumption and the amount of wood used to make embers, but also optimise energy efficiency during cooking. This approach helps to protect the environment, while offering an economical alternative to households. Mr Iyoma has also emphasised on the importance of awareness-raising, describing it as an essential lever for encouraging people to adopt eco-responsible behaviour in the face of the effects of climate change. “Awareness-raising remains a key factor in making the population aware of the means of action that can mitigate the effects of climate change by reducing deforestation,’ he has indicated. Despite their proven usefulness, the improved stoves are still poorly used in Mbandaka and in the territories of the province of Equateur”, he has added. The improved stoves are cooking stoves designed to be more efficient and use less wood than traditional three-stone stoves. They help to reduce the wood consumption and the greenhouse gas emissions and improve indoor air quality, it is remembered. CPA/