Understanding Role of Selected Alternate Energy
Application for Forest Conversation in Rawal Watershed
Area
(Special Problem Report)
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INTRODUCTION
Bio gas system is introduced around the world and in Pakistan too for the purpose to
control pollution, recycling the waste, prevent deforestation and improvement in sanitation. Bio
gas is very useful in Pakistan because it required relatively low investment, don’t need any kind
of skilled labor, it operate in local material and self help ,can be considered as the appropriate
technology for ruler environment
Bio gas is the cheap and simple method that provides you gas. It is the alternative energy
source. It typically refers to a gas produced by the biological breakdown of organic matter in the
absence of oxygen. Organic waste (dead plant and animal material, animal dung, and kitchen
waste) can be converted into a gaseous fuel called BIOGAS.
Biogas is a gas mixture which is generated when organic compounds are fermented in the
absence of air (anaerobic fermentation). This gas mixture is mainly made of carbon dioxide
(CO2) and methane (CH4). Methane is a combustible gas, which means it can be burned. It can
be used as a fuel for cooking and lighting. . Bio gas plants usually of five components which are
Inlet, fermentation chamber, gas storage bag or tank, outlet and exit pipe.
The idea that rotting vegetable matter gives off a flammable gas has been understood
since the ancient Persians. In modern times the first sewage plant was built in Bombay in 1859,
an idea that was brought to the UK in 1895, when the gas produced was used to light street
lamps. In 19th century other country starts working on it like Germany, America and other
European country.
Organic matter such as manure (human or animal), duckweed or rice straw is brought
into the fermentation chamber (through the inlet). The process of anaerobic fermentation will
take place here to generate biological gas (biogas). It will also produce a substrate rich in
nutrients which can be used as organic fertilizer or fish feed.
The processing of manure, organic rubbish and wastewater in the plant helps to keep the
environment clean. There is no longer any bad smell from sewage or livestock manure. Cooking
by biogas is much cleaner than cooking over a wood fire, and there is no smoke to cause lung
problems and eye diseases.
Three main types of simple biogas plants can be balloon plant, fixed dome plant and floating
drum plant. A balloon plant consists of a plastic or rubber digester bag, in the upper part of
which the gas is stored. The inlet and outlet are attached direct to the skin of the balloon. When
the gas space is full, the plant works like a fixed-dome plant - i.e., the balloon is not inflated; it is
not very elastic. The fermentation slurry is agitated slightly by the movement of the balloon skin.
A fixed-dome plant Figure consists of an enclosed digester with a fixed, non-movable gas space.
The gas is stored in the upper part of the digester. When gas production commences, the slurry is
displaced into the compensating tank. Gas pressure increases with the volume of gas stored;
therefore the volume of the digester should not exceed 20 m³. If there is little gas in the holder,
the gas pressure is low.
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Floating-drum plants consist of a digester and a moving gasholder. The gasholder floats either
direct on the fermentation slurry or in a water jacket of its own. The gas collects in the gas drum,
which thereby rises. If gas is drawn off, it falls again. The gas drum is prevented from tilting by a
guide frame.
The usage of Bio gas in European countries is increasing day by day. It has been detected
that in 1994, there were 397 industrial anaerobic purification facilities (Nyns, 1994). The most
number of anaerobic purification facilities is located in Germany, Holland, France and Italy,
respectively. In 1994, there were 99 facilities in Germany, and in 1999, this number was
increased to 125 (Austermann-Haun vd., 1999). And this number is increasing day by day in the
world especially Holland, Denmark and Belgium use that technology a lot. Turkey is the last
country by the anaerobic facility number for one million people in Europe.
In Pakistan, biogas is not popular as such. During 1980, a lot of money was spent by the
government and made large scale efforts to popularize that technology in Pakistan. But, after
some time efforts died and only few numbers of plants was installed. At present Pakistan Council
of Renewable Energy Technology (PCRET), NGOs and few commercial organizations are
working on biogas production.
(Biogas plant design in Pakistan)
In this report we have three areas Arokus, Piple, and Shadara where they used to have
rich forest area and people of these area are cutting trees and the wood they get from cutting trees
used for the purpose of cooking, heating, business purpose etc. from this they are having very
severe problems like by cooking on wood fire they got health issues and diseases as well like
lung cancer, eyes infection and the major problem arise by cutting trees is deforestation which is
the reason of environmental change in these areas as well as it is damaging the beauty of these
areas. By considering these issues, there is a need of BIOGAS in these areas because only few
families have biogas plants, so by this research we shall get know that are these families are
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satisfied by using biogas plant or not? And non user communities have got what reason which
makes their mind for not adopting biogas? This is the main purpose of this research as well.
The main objectives of the study are;





To investigate the attitude of people toward use of bio-gas plant.
Study the effectiveness of bio-gas plant towards deforestation.
Socio economic factors enhancing deforestation.
To find out the reason for not adopting biogas by inhabitants.
To review the existing forest policy with reference to deforestation.
MATERIAL AND METHOD
Locale
NARC team visited different areas for the biogas project. This study is conducted in
Rawal watershed areas of Arrokus ,piple and shadra which represents the upper and lower
watershed ecology. National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), Islamabad established in
1984, is the largest research centre of the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC).
Data collection
The study based on primary and secondary data. Primary information was obtained by
interviewing the people of these areas by using a structured questionnaire. Secondary data was
obtained through internet.
Sampling
My sample would comprise of 60 respondents user or non user of BIOGAS in order to
study the role of selected alternate energy application for forest conversation in Rawal watershed
area. The sample would be drawn through convenient sample technique and qualitative analysis.
Key informant
The key informant in Arrokus and Piple was Miss Sundas Naseem and in Shadra was Mr.
Tariq. Both of them are the members of NARC team as well.
Interview guide
We have used descriptive and comprehensive interview guide in this study.
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Group discussion
We did group discussion in Piple at Mr. Nisar’s home for the sake of knowing the
false/true statement judgment test for knowing the different opinion of Biogas regarding its
usage, maintenance etc. we did pre-testing of questionnaire in group discussion as well.
Questionnaire
Questionnaire was developed after relevant review of literature, group discussion with the
local community and personal observation. The questionnaire was pretested in Piple at Mr.
Nisar’s home (6 individuals were interviewed). The base-line of the questionnaire is divided in
following sections:





Demographical section
Fuel source for domestic energy consumption
Deforestation
Bio gas user
Non bio gas user
In this study, qualitative methods have been used. These methods were used, to know the
preferences of the people of Arrokus, Shadra and Piple.
The base-line questionnaire was conducted during month of January 2012 in two weeks at
Arrokus, Shadra and Piple.
Photography
Photography has been used in this study. Because it helps me to observe the data and to
depict the area sampled. The main purpose of using photography in this for recalling, critical
observation, and making report attractive and for building trust on people as for few people
seeing believes.
Spss for data collection
SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) is a powerful application among the
most widely used programs for statistical analysis in social science that allows reading almost
any kind of data, analyzes that data, and creates reports and graphs from that data. It prevents
from making mistakes or even forgetting something as compare to other software. That is why
project team takes initiative to analyze data by SPSS statistical package.
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ANALYZING OF VILLAGE ARROKUS, SHADRA AND
PIPLE
Demography
Gross
monthly
income
Total
less than
10000
41.7%
1000020000
35.0%
2000030000
10.0%
30000 and above
13.3%
Gross Monthly Income
Family Size
10000-20000
35.0%
14.3%
9 and
above
In the above table we have percentages of Gross Monthly Income of Shadra, Arrukus and
Piple. After asking different questions from these areas people we calculate that majority of the
people of these three areas earn less than Rs. 10000 per month. And the percentage of these
much earners is 41%. And the percentage shows that 35% of the people earn around Rs. 1000020000 per month. So we can say that 35% of the people can afford biogas plant in their homes as
they have enough money which is required for plant.
The average family size of these three areas is 9.
Fuel Source for Domestic Energy Consumption
Valid
Frequency
54
Percent
90.0
Valid
Percent
90.0
Cumulative
Percent
90.0
4
6.7
6.7
96.7
biogas
1
1.7
1.7
98.3
others
1
1.7
1.7
100.0
Total
60
100.0
100.0
wood
fuel
natural
gas
5
120
100
80
wood fuel
60
natural gas
biogas
40
others
20
0
Frequency
Percent
Valid Percent
Cumulative
Percent
In the above table we have percentages of sources of fuel for domestic energy
consumption of Shadra, Arrukus and Piple. After asking different questions from these areas
people we calculate that majority of the people of these three areas using wood as a source of
cooking, heating. Because it is cheaply available. And we may say that through questionnaire
result percentage that 90% of the total population using wood as a source of domestic cooking.
(Fuel source for domestic energy consumption)
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Deforestation
Forest Cutting
Forest cutting being Employed
Zone
Total
1
forest
right
47.6%
no
restriction
28.6%
no
alternative
fuel
available
60.0%
2
52.4%
71.4%
100.0%
100.0%
any
other
5
Total
45.8%
40.0%
100.0%
100.0%
54.2%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
In this observation we see that mostly people think that they don’t have any other kind of
alternative fuel so that’s why they cut trees. 60% of the population of the upper zone is ready to
condom that if we have any other source of fuel then they will not use wood as a fuel and they
save the trees. But in the lower zone the people believe if there is any chance of improvement in
the forest department, it will help to reduce the deforestation.
(Cut wood from forest)
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Involvement in Illegal Forest Cutting Cross tabulation
Involvement in Illegal Forest Cutting
Zone
Total
forest guard
local elite
general public
any other
Total
1
7
3
8
4
22
2
4
0
17
4
25
11
3
25
8
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The above table is showing the percentage of the people of zone 1 and 2, who are involved in
illegal forest cutting. In zone 1,there are 7 out of 22 people said that forest guard is involved in
forest cutting, 3 said local elite, 8 said general public and 4 said any other. In zone 2, there were
total number of the people were 25, 4 said forest guard is involved in illegal forest cutting, 17
said general public and 4 went for any other option. So we may say that 18.3% people voted for
forest guard, 5% said local elite, 42% said general public and 15% said someone else is involved
in illegal forest cutting.
Awareness regarding Deforestation Cross tabulation
Awareness regarding
Deforestation
Zone
Total
1
yes
50.00%
no
38.10%
Total
45.80%
2
50.00%
61.90%
54.20%
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
In this table we have two zones. In zone 1 we have 50% people said yes to deforestation and
38% said they are not aware. In zone 2, 50% people are aware and 61.9% people are not aware
of deforestation.
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Environmental Issues because of Deforestation Cross tabulation
Environmental Issues because of Deforestation
Zone
yes
no
3
1
47.50%
38.90%
100.00%
2
52.50%
61.10%
100.00%
100.00%
Total
Total
45.80%
54.20%
100.00%
100.00%
In above table, we have environmental issues because of deforestation. In zone 1, 47.50%
people said agree that there are environmental issues in their areas because of deforestation and
38.90% do not agree. In zone 2, 52.50% agree and 61.10% people disagree.
Participation in Forestation Cross tabulation
Participation in Forestation
Zone
1
yes actively
51.90%
no
40.60%
Total
45.80%
2
48.10%
59.40%
54.20%
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
Total
In above table, we have data of how many people participate in the forestation of their areas.
In zone 1, 51.90% people said that they participate and 40.60% said they do not participate in
forestation. In zone 2, 48.10% people participate and 59.40% people do not participate in
forestation.
Health Problems regarding Deforestation Cross tabulation
Health Problems regarding Deforestation
Zone
Total
Total
yes
no
3
1
42.90%
48.30%
50.00%
45.80%
2
57.10%
51.70%
50.00%
54.20%
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
This table showed that is deforestation is a reason of health problems or not? In zone 1,
42.90% people said yes and 48.30% said no. in zone 2, 57.10% said yes and 51.70% said no.
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Bio gas user
Animals
requirement
satisfaction
for
domestic
cooking
time
comparison
b/w biogas
and wood
fuel
water
requireme
nt
for
biogas
Distance
b/w
kitchen
and
plant
66.7%
66.7%
66.7%
80.0%
66.7%
66.7%
33.3%
33.3%
33.3%
33.3%
20.0%
33.3%
33.3%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
Zone
Ideal
animal for
biogas
plant
wastage
purpose
capacity
cost
1
62.1%
53.8%
66.7%
66.7%
2
37.9%
46.2%
33.3%
Total
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
This table showing that how much user of the biogas is satisfied from biogas? We can see
that people of zone 1, 62.1% of the people says that only buffalo is the ideal animal for biogas
plant. 53.8% said that only buffalo’s wastage can create biogas. 66.7% of the people agree with
that, that wastage of animal or plant can recycle as well. 66.7% have capacity, they can bear cost,
have required animal for the plant, can satisfy their domestic cooking and water requirement by
using the plant and have less distance between kitchen and plant. 80% people said that biogas is
better than wood for cooking.
In zone 2, 33.3% people know the purpose of the plant, they have capacity, can bear cost
of the plant, they can fulfill the requirement of animals and water, and plant is satisfying their
domestic cooking. 37.9% people have ideal animal for biogas plant, 46.2% use the wastage of
biogas plant for other use and 20% agree that biogas is better than wood.
So we may say that zone 1 people are more satisfied with biogas than zone 2 biogas user.
Non bio gas user
Herd Size Cross tabulation
Herd Size
Zone
Total
less than 3
3-6
more than 6
Total
1
56.5%
50.0%
100.0%
54.8%
2
43.5%
50.0%
100.0%
100.0%
10
45.2%
100.0%
100.0%
The above table showed the herd size of non user of biogas. In zone 1, 56.5% of the non
user have herd size less than 3, 50% have 3-6 herd size and 100% have more than 6 herd size. In
zone 2, 43.5% have less than 3 herd size and 50% have 3-6 herd size.
Suggestions of Biogas Promotion Cross tabulation
Suggestions of Biogas Promotion
Zone
awareness
partially support
1
41.7%
53.8%
2
58.3%
46.2%
100.0%
100.0%
Total
effective
any other
demonstration
100.0%
5
12.5%
100.0%
Total
46.6%
87.5%
100.0%
53.4%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
In this table, we have asked questions to the people about how we can promote biogas in their
area. In zone 1, 41.7% people said by giving awareness we can promote biogas, 53.8% said by
partially support, 100% said effective demonstration, 12.5% said any other ways. In zone 2,
58.3% went for awareness option, 46.2% for partially support and 87.5% said any other.
Those who have resources required for Biogas plant Cross tabulation
Those who have resources required for Biogas plant
Zone
1
space
money
animal
all
none
biogas user
Total
100.0%
50.0%
83.3%
46.7%
14.3%
60.0%
45.8%
50.0%
16.7%
53.3%
85.7%
40.0%
54.2%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
2
Total
100.0%
Above table shows the resources required for biogas plant, in zone 1, 100% people do not have
enough space for biogas plant, 50% do not have money, 83.3% do not have animal required for
biogas plant, 46.7% have all the resources, 14.3% people do not have any of the resources and
60% people are already user of biogas.
In zone 2, 50% do not have money for plant, 16.7% do not have animal, 53.3% have all the
resources but they are not willing to build a plant, 85.7% have no resources and 40% people are
already using biogas in their homes.
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Ready to build Biogas plant Cross tabulation
Ready to build Biogas plant
Zone
user
yes
no
Total
1
60.0%
58.3%
33.3%
45.8%
2
40.0%
41.7%
66.7%
54.2%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
Total
In above table we have the percentages of the non user of biogas that how many people
are willing to build biogas plant. In zone 1, 60% are user of biogas plant, 58.3% said yes and
33.3% people said no for building a plant. In zone 2, 40% people are already a user, 41.7% said
yes and 66.7% people said no.
REAL ISSUES
1. They do not have enough resources like money, land, animals required for biogas plant.
2. The design of biogas plant is not appropriate which reduce the production of biogas and
does not appeal non-user of biogas for using biogas.
3. The people of these three areas especially Arrokus and Shadra, do not trust on
Government and Non-Government organizations because many organizations came there
and did surveys but they never benefited the people as such.
4. People assume that biogas is seasonal gas. They think that biogas works only in summers
not in winters.
5. The people of these areas are not flexible enough to accept the change or new
advancement in their areas.
6. People of these areas are not willing to change their social habits, they like to cut the
woods and cook on wood fire rather than on biogas flame.
7. People do not know how to use biogas and biogas plant as well. Because they face
problems in using it.
8. They do not have much supply of animal waste which is essential for biogas plant.
9. They are illiterate people.
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10. The attitude of male community of these areas are not good with women because they
have no concern how much pain their women suffer when they cut the wood and take that
to their homes.
ADVANTAGES OF BIOGAS
Advantage of bio gas in Piple,Aarokus and Shadra
1. Biogas can be used for electrical power generation as well as for heating purposes.
2. It will reduce the workload for women of these areas because they will not require going
to the forest for wood for the sake of fire.
3. Biogas is pure gas so it is not dangerous for the health of the people. It will not cause any
kind of skin diseases and eye diseases which normally wood fire do. It reduces the
respiratory diseases such as asthma and lung problems. Biogas plants also kill pathogens
like cholera, dysentery, typhoid and paratyphoid.
4. Biogas usage will decrease deforestation in these areas and it will also decrease
environmental pollution as well.
5. Biogas plant is for life time as we just need to install it once in our life and it will give its
output throughout our life but electricity and for wood or natural gas we have to pay bills
every month.
6. Biogas is a smell less gas but wood left its smell when we cook our food on wood fire.
7. Transformation of organic wastes into high quality fertilizer.
8. It protects the earth’s natural resources. It also protects the soil indirectly.
9. Biogas saves these areas beauty which is the greenery of these areas. And if people of
these areas start using biogas so they will not cut trees and that is how beauty of these
areas shall be safe.
10. It reduces cost of artificial fertilizer and protects the subsoil water.
CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION
Bio gas system is very useful in these areas but the people of these areas are not educated
and these people not ready to adopt new and modern technology that is why they feel hesitatation
and do not accept changes. They are used to of spending their lives on their traditional life style
that is why they cook food on wood. The main reason of wood fuel usage for domestic cooking
in these area is richness of trees in forest and wood is easily available so that is why they are
happy to cook on wood and use wood as a heater and other purposes. Different NGO and
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government institutions visit there and fill their questionnaire but they do nothing for these areas
that is why the level of trust on NGOs is very bad and people are not ready to listen anything.
Biogas system also provided by an NGO and they build biogas system in this area but they only
build but they do not teach people how to use and what are the problem they face during usage of
biogas plant so that’s why mostly user not happy and satisfy for their working of biogas plant. So
they need training for the sake of giving them knowledge that is how they will be able to use this
plant in better way, so that the production of biogas plant will increases its production as well as
it will increases trust on the user of biogas and the non user will also show their will for using bio
gas plant. Mostly people do not adopt this system because they think that it is very expensive
system but through questionnaire we see that most of the people can afford bio gas system.
People think that this system required huge amount of money but we see that bio gas system is
idea for rural life because biogas does not need any kind of heavy machines and high labor.
People clam that it has seasonal effect, it is not working on winter but when we study bio gas
system then we see that the design of bio gas system matters a lot if the distance of kitchen is
less, bio gas plant system is covered by plastic sheet in winter, use steel pipe in bio gas system
instead of plastic pipes, bio gas plant is place on the height place, do not use any kind of joint,
and some kind of fat deposit is add with animal waste it help in working of bio gas system .
Buffalo is an ideal animal for bio gas plant.
It is very productive system if people properly use biogas. It may help to decrease
deforestation and also save the time of women. Also save women, men and their children for
different infection and diseases. In the end we can conclude that if the above suggested points
keep in mind and implement them into these area then biogas will be useful in these three areas
otherwise it will not be easy to promote biogas in these three areas.
LITERATURE CITED
http://www.kingdombio.com/history1.html
http://www.paksc.org/bio-energy/bio-gas-plant.html)
http://bio-gas-plant.blogspot.com/2011/04/types-of-biogas-plant.html)
http://www.technologytimes.pk/2011/07/02/biogas-in-pakistan-%E2%80%93-somefacts-and-figures/
http://www.economywatch.com/renewable-energy/advantages-of-biogas.html
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