Governement of India has celebrated the year 2001 as women's empowerment year. During that year, MNRE has decided to make 10,000 villages "Smoke free" by the promotion of improved chulhas all over India.
MNRE have allotted a target of 200 villages to ANERT for saturation of all households with smokeless chulhas. However, ANERT has selected 350 villages as "smoke free villages' and this programme is being implemented on whole village approach. ANERT has installed 8,17,352 improved chulhas in Kerala till now including community chulhas for schools and aganwadies.
MNRE has recognised ANERT chulha as a long life model. More than 140 training programs are being conducted every year to users, masons, potters, master-craftsmen, NGOs, SEWs, etc. ANERT received National award for three times for the best performance and its functionality.
