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CLICK AND SAVE GORILLAS!

In just a few seconds online, internet voters could help the London-based 
Gorilla Organization to continue funding a vital project that reduces 
pressure on precious gorilla forests in DR Congo to preserve the long-term 
future of mountain gorillas.

Out of nearly a thousand nominations, the UN Year of the Gorilla 'Jiko 
Stoves' project in the area surrounding the Virunga National Park has been 
selected as one of only twelve finalists in the World Challenge 2009 
competition for grassroots community conservation. It's one of many community 
conservation projects carried out in Africa by the small Primrose Hill 
charity, the Gorilla Organization, formerly the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund 
Europe.


The area surrounding the Virunga National Park in DR Congo, home to the 
critically endangered mountain gorilla, is densely populated, with most 
families reliant on firewood and charcoal for cooking and heating. The 
collection of firewood can have a detrimental effect on the gorilla habitat, 
and is also very time-consuming and physically exhausting for the villagers 
and children involved.

Partnering with local group AIDE-Kivu, the Gorilla Organization launched the 
fuel-efficient stove project last year, producing and distributing ‘jiko’ 
stoves which reduce the consumption of firewood and charcoal by at least 75%. 
Families with fuel-efficient stoves are now using on average just 1.5 sacks 
of charcoal a month compared to four sacks per month before.


The Director of The Gorilla Organization, Jillian Miller, says “The ‘Jiko 
Stoves’ project in DR Congo has shown proven success in reducing the 
consumption of firewood and charcoal – which is a huge threat to the 
critically endangered mountain gorilla. Winning the $20 000 prize money in 
the World Challenge competition would fund this vital project for an entire 
year”


Online voters simply have to visit 
www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/2009-finalists-project04.php and cast a vote for 
the DR Congo 'Jiko Stoves' project. It takes only a few seconds and it's free.


(Further details available from 
http://cleanergy.blogspot.com/2009/09/fuel-efficient-stoves-reduce.html)