Firewood Sales Soar in Berhampur Amid LPG Supply Crisis
The silk city of Berhampur is experiencing a significant surge in firewood demand over the past week, driven by a shortage of LPG cylinders linked to the ongoing conflict in West Asia. This disruption has prompted numerous hotels, temples, and feast organizers to revert to using firewood for cooking and ceremonial purposes, highlighting a shift back to traditional fuel sources in response to global supply chain issues.
Dramatic Increase in Firewood Sales
Prasant Panigrahy, a local firewood depot owner, reported that daily sales have skyrocketed from approximately three quintals, primarily used for biryani preparation, to nearly 25 quintals in the last five days. Despite this spike in demand, prices have remained stable, with firewood selling at Rs 1,200 per quintal. For cremation purposes, it is available at Rs 900 to Rs 1,000 per tonne, adjusted based on the financial situation of families.
Supply Challenges and Festival Preparations
Adu Panigrahy, another depot owner, noted that stocks are depleting rapidly due to the sudden uptick in demand. Feast organizers are particularly opting for firewood because of the erratic supply of cooking gas. For instance, around three quintals were supplied to a temple for the Sankranti festival on Sunday. Depot owners emphasized that they procure firewood legally from forest depots in compliance with government guidelines. Some depots are also stocking up in anticipation of the upcoming Danda Yatra, a seasonal folk tradition where performers, known as Danduas, rely exclusively on firewood for cooking. This festival begins in the last week of March and continues until Visubha Sankranti on April 14.
Forest Conservation Efforts Intensified
Amid concerns about potential illegal tree felling due to the increased demand, Vishwanath Neelannavar, the regional chief conservator of forests (RCCF) in Berhampur, has ordered heightened vigilance. Forest officials have ramped up patrolling in vulnerable areas to prevent illegal activities. So far, no instances of illegal tree felling have been reported, underscoring the effectiveness of these conservation measures.
This situation underscores the broader impact of international conflicts on local economies and daily life, as communities adapt to resource shortages by returning to older, more sustainable practices while authorities work to balance demand with environmental protection.
