Shell Foundation, in coordination with the state government, has undertaken a comprehensive programme involving 111 villages in Shimoga to create awareness about the third largest killer in India — indoor air pollution.
Studies have revealed 59 per cent of deaths due to indoor air pollution are women.
The programme is being undertaken in coordination with officials of the state and district administration, namely department of rural development and panchayati raj, ministry of social welfare, deputy commissioner, Shimoga district and CEO zilla parishad, Shimoga district.
Under the campaign, efforts are being made to improve stoves, which reduce emission and make for efficient fuel use. The current initiative follows a pilot campaign on indoor air pollution (IAP) conducted by Shell Foundation in 2008 in Raichur, Koppal, Udupi and Mysore, which indicated that although small changes like ‘keeping the kitchen windows open’, ‘installing a chimney or ventilator’, ‘keeping children away from smoke‘ or ‘use of dry firewood’ can make a big difference in reducing indoor air pollution, the final focus needs to be on motivating people to change behaviour, with a focus on improved stoves.
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