Pangi residents stare at fuel wood scarcity in absence of timely supply

With the onset of harsh winter, the residents of the remote Pangi valley in Chamba district are staring at a fuel wood crisis after the Himachal Pradesh State Forest Development Corporation (HPSFDC) allegedly failed to ensure timely supply at its depot at Killar.

In a letter addressed to the Additional Chief Secretary (Forest), the Pangwal Ekta Manch, a civil society group of Pangi, has raised serious concern over the non-supply of fuel wood for the winter.

Trilok Thakur, chairman of the organisation, alleged that the Chamba division of HPSFDC had ignore the mandatory pre-winter stocking of essential supplies, including fuel wood, which was vital for the survival of the residents of high-altitude areas of Killar and Karyas villages.

Trilok said that of the total requirement of 4,000 quintals of fuel wood, only 1,000 quintals had been transported so far through the Sach Pass. However, as the pass was now closed for traffic due to snowfall, the remaining stock was stranded at Ranikot near Bairagarh in Churah subdivision.

He said that as per the past administrative practice, all departments were required to ensure winter stocking of essential commodities such as medicines, ration, LPG cylinders, coal and fuel wood by October 15 every year.

The Pangwal Ekta Manch urged the state government to immediately direct the HPSFDC to arrange alternative transportation of fuel wood to Killar through the Atal Tunnel-Rohtang route. It also demanded that the responsibility for the lapse be fixed under the CCS (CCA) Rules, 1965, and the erring officials be held accountable.

Nestled in the remote north-western region of Chamba district, the Pangi valley is one of the most isolated and rugged tribal regions of the state. Given its extreme climatic conditions, the residents of Pangi depend heavily on fuel wood and essential winter stocking for survival during harsh winter months when temperatures often plunge below the freezing point and road connectivity remains disrupted.