Status of Fuelwood Extraction and Consumption in Rural North Kashmir: a Case Study

Abstract

The information on status of fuelwood extraction and consumption was collected in Sagipora village of Sopore tehsil under Kamraj forest division using interview schedule. Fuelwood extraction and consumption was estimated to be 0.28 and 0.42 tonnes person^-1 yeaf^-1 respectively. The village was found to be experiencing fuelwood extraction/ consumption deficit of 0.14 tonnes person^-1 yeaf^-1. Silvi-horticulture plantation provided the largest proportion of annual woody fuelwood accounting 74.29% of the total availability. Major proportion (82.86%) of the total fuelwood is consumed in cooking and heating. There are 15 prominent tree species which contribute 96.06% of the total fuelwood availability in the study area. The results advocate the need to increase the local production of fuelwood by establishing woodlots of suitable species on waste lands and un-utilized agricultural lands for meeting future demand of the burgeoning population.