Jumla, April 29 -- For years, Jayapura Sarki of ward 1 of Tila Rural Municipality in Jumla relied on traditional mud stoves and open fire pits for cooking. Thick smoke filled her kitchen daily, leaving walls blackened and utensils and clothes covered in soot.

That changed after she started using an 'improved' (smokeless) iron stove.

"Earlier, the house used to be completely black because of smoke," she said. "Everything, from pots to clothes, would get dirty. Now the house is bright and clean. The change is clearly visible inside the home."

She said washing utensils was also difficult earlier due to lack of proper soap, and regular exposure to smoke and dust often caused breathing problems and other illnesses.

"Now that we use the imp...