People cutting wood from forest for heating and cooking

Some cannot afford to purchase firewood, so have to keep cutting from local forests

ISLAMABAD: Low gas pressure in rural areas of the federal capital forces the locals to cut firewood from the forest areas to use them as alternative fuels, distressing to all environment lovers. Such deforestation has also become a regular occurrence in the surroundings of Rawal Lake, Shakarparian and margalla hills.

Salman a resident of Sohan while expressing his concern said "I go to different jungles to cut woods as gas supply to my home very low," adding that a Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinder was not affordable for him to use as an alternative source of fuel.

Tanvir Ahmed another resident of Saidpur village said, “Due to unavailability of gas, my children travel into the Margalla hills to collect fire woods, as buying fire-wood from the market can be costly for us.”



"Gas is not available most of the time and we are unable even to cook food," said Farwa Hassan, a house wife of Sector G-9/4. "We have to arrange ready-made breakfasts for our children," she added.

The residents alleged that Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) artificially created shortage of the gas in the city by maintaining low pressure in its system.

SNGPL senior official stated that they never close any valve in any area. "Stoves run out of gas because majority of consumers use gas sucking compressors."

He added that the government was making all efforts to set up LPG air-mix plants to counter the grievances of rural area community.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 18^th, 2018.