The Journey of Himalayan Rocket Stove: A Story of Connections, Seeds, and Bridges

This blog is based on the speech I gave at the event we hosted on Sunday 28 July 2024 at IIT Delhi, on the topic of “Climate Change Impacts in the Himalayas, Solutions and Scaling Opportunities”. The event was attended by a number of high profile impact specialists, including Sonam Wangchuk who gave a keynote talk, Smita Rakesh from Social Alpha as well as Ajay Muttreja who moderated a panel with Sonam and Smita. Media links will be pasted at the bottom of the post.

Introduction

In the remote and rugged landscapes of the Himalayas, where the biting cold is a constant companion, a quiet revolution is underway. This is the story of Himalayan Rocket Stove, a company that is transforming the way people heat their homes in the Himalayan region. But this journey is not just about stoves; it is about the connections made, the seeds planted, and the bridges built over three decades. I’m Russell Collins, the founder of Himalayan Rocket Stove, and this is our story.

1992: The First Seed is Planted

My journey to the Himalayas began in 1992 when I first set foot in India. I traveled to Kinnaur for the Kalachakra with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and found myself among the first batch of non-locals allowed into Spiti, a remote valley in the Indian Himalayas. It was here that I connected with the Abbot of Tabo Monastery, an encounter that would anchor my deep and enduring connection to this region. This was the first seed planted—my introduction to the rich culture and resilient communities of the Himalayas.

2003: A Chance Encounter and a New Path

Fast forward to 2003, and I was back in Tabo, helping the monastery with their school project. On a trip from Manali to Tabo, I was riding a Royal Enfield Bullet when I encountered a landslide that blocked my path for hours. As I waited, I struck up a conversation with an American cyclist named Neil. We exchanged emails, not knowing that this chance encounter would be a turning point in my life.

In the same year, I was asked by the monastery to help with fundraising for their culturally appropriate school for Spitian children. I wrote a successful grant application and set up a sponsorship program, ensuring the school’s operational costs were covered. But my path was about to take an unexpected turn.

2004: The First Visit to Ladakh and a New Vision

In 2004, I met two French architects who were working on the school project in Tabo. They suggested that we visit Ladakh to learn more about solar passive design. Always up for an adventure, I agreed. This trip took us to SECMOL (Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh), an institute founded by Sonam Wangchuk and others in 1988.

SECMOL was a revelation. The solar passive design ideas were inspiring, but what truly captivated me was how SECMOL was giving talented youth in Ladakh a second chance. They were encouraged to embrace their cultural heritage while learning new skills and gaining the confidence to use them. This visit planted another seed—the idea of connecting the students and staff of the Serkong School in Spiti with those at SECMOL in Ladakh.

2005-2014: Building Bridges Between Spiti and Ladakh

In 2005, I organized the first Spiti to Ladakh School Eco-Educational Tour. We took a busload of students and staff from Serkong School on a four-day overland journey to SECMOL. There, the students exchanged stories, songs, and dances with their Ladakhi peers, building bridges between two regions with shared cultural roots but little modern interaction.

For nearly a decade, I ran this tour almost every year, each time bringing a new class of students to Ladakh. These journeys solidified my connection to both Spiti and Ladakh and laid the groundwork for what was to come.

2014: The Seed of an Idea is Planted

In 2014, while visiting SECMOL, Sonam Wangchuk casually asked me if I had heard about rocket stoves. I hadn’t, but as a self-professed firebug, I was intrigued. This question planted the seed of what would become my next big project. For the next two years, I immersed myself in research, working on designs and prototypes in workshops in India and Australia. The idea of creating a clean and efficient heating solution for Himalayan homes became my new obsession.

2016: A Turning Point

By 2016, I was close to a breakthrough. I wrote a newsletter about my upcoming tours and included a brief mention of my rocket stove project. The next day, I received an email from Neil, the cyclist I had met during the landslide in 2003. His email was short: “How much do you need?”

Unsure of what he meant, I decided to take a chance. I replied with a detailed plan, saying that with $50,000 USD, I could set up a prototyping and production facility in the Himalayas and field-test the stoves. The following day, Neil responded: “Send me your account details.”

That email marked a turning point. Neil’s generous support allowed me to transition from organizing tours to focusing entirely on the Himalayan Rocket Stove project. If Sonam’s question planted the seed, Neil’s support watered it just as it was ready to sprout.

The Birth of Himalayan Rocket Stove

Later in 2016, I set up a workshop in Leh, Ladakh, with the help of long-time friends and collaborators. We began producing the first batch of stoves, which were tested in real homes across the region. The feedback was promising, but there were challenges. The men loved the stoves, but the women, who are the primary users, found them less practical.

Undeterred, we went back to the drawing board and redesigned the stoves to better suit the cultural habits of Himalayan households. This process led to the creation of the Eco1 Rocket Stove, which has since evolved into a range of products designed for different needs and settings.

Today: A Growing Impact

Today, Himalayan Rocket Stove has over 12,000 units in the field across the Himalayan belt. We are currently validating our products for carbon trading, which will allow us to further reduce the cost of our stoves and make them more accessible to those who need them most.

Our journey is far from over. The connections made, the seeds planted, and the bridges built over the past 32 years continue to guide us as we work towards a sustainable future for the Himalayas. I hope that by sharing our story, we can inspire others to make connections, build bridges, and plant seeds of their own.

Conclusion

The journey of Himalayan Rocket Stove is a testament to the power of serendipity, perseverance, and the belief that small seeds can grow into something impactful. From the first encounter with Spiti in 1992 to the founding of Himalayan Rocket Stove in 2016, this journey has been about more than just stoves—it’s been about making a difference in the lives of those who call the Himalayas home.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. I look forward to the new connections, bridges, and seeds that will continue to shape the future of Himalayan Rocket Stove.

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