among couples in Khata increased from 43 percent in September 2006 6 Lessons From the First Generation of Integrated Population, Health, and Environment Projects Issue 18 March 2009 Forests for the Future to 72.6 percent in September 2008 (WWF-Nepal, 2008). Interviews suggest that community members realize that limiting family size can contribute to their continued prosperity. Whereas before they viewed family planning solely as a means to better health, now they also call it a practice for "better management of their forest assets" (D'Agnes, 2007). The project also increased the number of households adopting biogas and smokeless, fuel-efficient cookstoves in Khata from 11 percent in 2006 to 19 percent in 2008, resulting in 1,524 metric tons of firewood saved annually. Moreover, about 1,320 households installed solar lamps, which, according to users, resulted in "savings for their family" from reduced expenditure for kerosene (D'Agnes, 2007). The project's data show a reduction in the incidence of severe cases of acute respiratory infection among under-five children living in the project area, which suggests that the increased use of clean energy technology has improved health conditions in Khata. Neighboring villages are now clamoring to share these benefits. The Khata groups are helping their neighbors meet government requirements to form their own user groups to sustainably manage their own natural resources. Devi K.C., secretary of the Gauri forest user group and a community-based distributor (CBD) of family planning services and products, says that clients, especially men, are now becoming more comfortable talking to women distributors about contraceptives. "Previously, people were reluctant to speak about family planning. Now, women CBDs who are more conversant and informed on reproductive health and family planning openly talk to forest user groups about sexual and reproductive health--and people listen to them," says Devi. She also sees great benefits from the peer education programs that encourage women to discuss their reproductive health problems. For instance, many local women suffer from prolapsed uteruses caused by lifting and carrying heavy bundles of firewood. Despite the pain, women were reluctant to talk about this problem until approached by peer educators. Women and men in the community are now trying to obtain government services to help these women. Clean Energy Technology Generates Multiple Benefits for Khata Families Acute respiratory infection (ARI)-- often caused by smoke and pollution from indoor cooking fires--is a serious problem for women and young children in Nepal. In the Khata corridor, the WWF PHE project has promoted biogas and improved cooking stoves to help address this problem, as well as relieve pressure on the forests and reduce the amount of time women spend collecting firewood. Biogas digesters are connected to household latrines. Human waste, along with cattle dung, produces biogas in the digester, which is piped to the nearby kitchen and used for cooking. A total of 586 households (19 percent) in Khata are now using biogas or improved cookstoves, saving an estimated 1,524 metric tons of firewood annually (equivalent to about 3,800 trees). Women also report great savings in time and work, allowing them to engage in forest management and PHE activities organized by their user groups. Source: WWF-Nepal (2008). John Pielemeier 7 FOCUS on population, environment, and security Strategy for Sustainability "Now, women CBDs who are more conversant and informed on reproductive health and family planning openly talk to forest user groups about sexual and reproductive health--and people listen to them." � Devi K. C. From the outset, the project required that NGO partners and forest user groups contribute funds to maximize the project's long-term sustainability; to date, these contributions total more than $37,500 over two years (compared to USAID's contribution of $80,000). WWF plans to phase out its financial support of the Khata project, so sustaining the project's conservation and healt