Back to news

Brick sector partnership enhances state of knowledge on science, technology, and policy in Nepal and South Asia

ICIMOD and the Federation of Nepal Brick Industries (FNBI) organized a concluding event to share the outcomes of the Adoption of Cleaner Brick Production project (2018–2019), funded by the Department for International Development (DFID) and implemented by ICIMOD. The project’s interventions have made the Nepal brick industry more energy efficient and environment and worker friendly, enhanced knowledge and adoption of improved technologies, influenced brick sector policies, and worked to improve the social and working conditions in brick kilns.

0 mins Read

70% Complete
The Adoption of Cleaner Brick Production project’s concluding event saw participation from representatives of FNBI district associations. (Photo:ICIMOD)

The project conducted interactive trainings and workshops, solicited feedback from the FNBI’s member associations for increased ownership, and mobilized local brick experts and entrepreneurs along with environmental and social engineers and technology experts. Brick kiln modernization offers a large potential for energy savings; reduces black carbon and CO2 emissions; saves agricultural land from degradation; increases the profitability of brick enterprises; improves the working conditions and health of workers; and provides better-quality building material to consumers. The project helped establish seven showcase kilns in four provinces where brick industries are concentrated. The demonstration and adoption of initial gas firing and experimentation of pellets as an alternative to coal have also been successful.

Speaking at the project’s concluding event, Mahendra Bahadur Chitrakar, Chairperson, FNBI, stressed that brick industries in Nepal should expeditiously adopt cleaner technology. He urged all brick entrepreneurs to unite at the district and provincial levels for the transformation of brick kilns and underlined the need for science-based policy advocacy. Bidya Banmali Pradhan, Programme Coordinator – Brick Kiln Initiative, ICIMOD, also highlighted the value of technology adoption for the efficient operation of kilns, which can lead to cascading positive impacts, including alleviation of social issues.

1. Banmali Pradhan, Programme Coordinator – Brick Kiln Initiative, ICIMOD, spoke about the need for adoption of better technologies in brick kilns. (Photo: ICIMOD)

Stay current

Stay up to date on what’s happening around the HKH with our most recent publications and find out how you can help by subscribing to our mailing list.

Sign Up

RELATED CONTENTS

Continue exploring this topic

Technical Consultative Meeting on KLCDI Regional Programme Implementation Plan (2016–2020)

Internal Server Error The server encountered an internal error or misconfiguration and was unable to complete your request. Please contact the server ...

28 May 2015 News
Below normal rainfall most likely in South Asia this year, say experts

This year the South Asian Climate Outlook Forum (SASCOF) has predicted that below normal rainfall is most likely ...

10 Jan 2017 News
Partnerships for Transformative Change

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), in association with the Partnership Brokers Association (PBA), is ...

8 Feb 2016 News
HIMAP: A Monitoring and Assessment Programme to Sustain the Hindu Kush Himalayan Region as a Global Asset

From 26-28 January 2016, the first writers’ workshop for the coordinating lead authors of the Hindu Kush Himalayan Monitoring and ...

31 Aug 2017 News
ICIMOD and UCAS Symposium on Resilience in the HKH at International Congress of Ecology

Eklabya Sharma, the Deputy Director General of ICIMOD, delivered a keynote speech at the conference. Sharma talked about the importance ...

9 Nov 2016 News
REDD+ Initiative and Partners Conduct Ecotourism Trail Mapping in and around Ludhi Khola Watershed of Gorkha, Nepal

Ecotourism has the potential to compliment Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) finance for landscape level conservation and ...

22 May 2019 Livelihoods
Regional cooperation for tourism development: High-level dialogue on promoting India–Nepal cross-border tourism, trade, and industry

Cross-border tourism and regional cooperation are priority areas of the KLCDI – part of its overarching goal to further landscape-level ...

15 Jun 2016 News
HKH Partnership to Foster Regional Solidarity

The Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) Partnership for Sustainable Mountain Development was launched during a ministerial-level panel discussion organized on 24 ...