Ban lifted: Cosier winters are better late than never

The people of G-B are looking forward to cosier winters as the ban on transportation of firewood.

GILGIT: The people of Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) are looking forward to cosier winters as the ban on transportation of firewood from Diamer to the rest of the region has been lifted. Chief Minister Mehdi Shah announced the news on Saturday.

“The decision has been taken in view of the shortage of firewood in the region,” Shah said, adding that wood would soon reach all parts of G-B.

Consumption of firewood in the mountainous region increased exponentially with the rise in cold weather, causing a severe shortage in the only viable fuel for heating. The dearth led to an increase in prices, with 40 kilogrammes of dry wood being sold at a staggering Rs600 in the market.

Meherban, a vendor, said that his stock of over 10 tons was exhausted by December’s end. He said it had become exceedingly difficult to find firewood, dry or wet, as demand rose with the free falling temperature.

The G-B Forests Department had earlier imposed a ban on the transportation of firewood in a bid to discourage the chopping of forest trees.

Most people in the region depend on Diamer forest for fuel, as kerosene oil is not only expensive but also falls short of matching the freezing cold. Temperatures fall as low as - 17 degree celsius during winters.

People were happy about the ban being lifted. As Abdul Nafess of Gilgit says, “Better late than never.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 9^th, 2011.