Firewood Sales Soar in Berhampur Amid LPG Supply Crisis
In the silk city of Berhampur, a dramatic surge in firewood demand has unfolded over the past week, driven by a severe shortage of LPG cylinders. This supply disruption is directly linked to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, which has prompted numerous hotels, temples, and feast organizers to revert to traditional firewood for cooking purposes.
Unprecedented Spike in Firewood Consumption
Prasant Panigrahy, a local firewood depot owner, reported an astonishing increase in daily sales. "Our daily sales have jumped from approximately three quintals, primarily used for biryani preparation, to nearly 25 quintals in just the last five days," he stated. Despite this explosive demand, Panigrahy has maintained stable pricing, with firewood selling at Rs 1,200 per quintal. For cremation purposes, it is offered at a subsidized rate of Rs 900 to Rs 1,000 per tonne, depending on the family's financial situation.
Rapid Depletion of Stocks and Festival Preparations
Adu Panigrahy, another depot owner, highlighted the rapid depletion of firewood stocks due to the sudden uptick in demand. "Feast organizers are particularly opting for firewood because of the erratic cooking gas supply," he explained. For instance, around three quintals were supplied to a temple for the Sankranti festival on Sunday. Depot owners emphasize that they procure firewood legally from forest depots in compliance with government guidelines. Additionally, some depots are proactively stocking up for the upcoming Danda Yatra, a seasonal folk tradition where performers, known as 'Danduas,' rely exclusively on firewood for cooking. This festival commences in the last week of March and continues until Visubha Sankranti on April 14.
Forest Vigilance Intensified to Prevent Illegal Activities
Amid concerns that the sudden demand spike could lead to illegal tree felling, Vishwanath Neelannavar, the regional chief conservator of forests (RCCF) in Berhampur, has ordered heightened vigilance. Forest officials have escalated patrolling in vulnerable areas to curb any potential illegal activities. "No instances of illegal tree felling have been reported so far," Neelannavar assured, underscoring the proactive measures in place to protect local forests.
The shift to firewood in Berhampur underscores the broader economic and logistical impacts of global conflicts on local communities, highlighting how international tensions can directly influence daily life and traditional practices in regions far from the epicenter of strife.
