The status of National Programme on Improved Cookstoves (NPIC) in Himachal Pradesh, the Western Himalayan Indian state, is presented. The lessons learnt from the success and failures in the implementation of the programme are highlighted. The research and development efforts of the Technology Back Up Centre, in developing energy-efficient space-heating metal stoves for high-altitude regions of the state are described. The feedback survey indicates that these improved stoves based on traditional stove designs are more acceptable to people. The study shows that NPIC needs to continue with new vigour in the ecologically fragile Himalayan region for the protection of forests and health of women. A new approach for the implementation of NPIC is outlined which includes massive awareness campaign about harmful impact of smoke emissions, improved ventilated kitchen designs, introduction of alternate cooking and space heating technologies including passive solar house technology for space heating in extreme cold climates. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier Ltd.