Forest dept to set up three firewood depots in every dist: Javed Rana

The Forest department would establish three firewood depots in every district, with sufficient quantity of firewood to meet the requisite demands of public and institutions.

The decision was taken in view of the recent directions passed by Forest, Ecology & Environment Minister Javed Ahmad Rana to ensure adequate availability of firewood across all regions of Jammu and Kashmir for benefit of general public.

The norms for location of depots and availability of firewood will be fixed by Chief Conservator of Forests, Jammu, and Chief Conservator of Forests, Kashmir, as per needs.

Javed Rana, who also holds the Jal Shakti and Tribal Affairs portfolios, asked officials to make all depots functional within a week with efficient distribution of firewood to combat harsh winter conditions.

As winter tightens up its grip in Kashmir and the winter zone of Jammu, Javed Rana said easy availability of firewood for the benefit of public becomes crucial. "The move aims to provide essential support to the population, especially during the harsh winter months," he added.

To further streamline the firewood distribution, Rana called for prioritising areas with high demand to alleviate suffering of people.

“The availability of firewood may be ensured with extractions of firewood wherever feasible and if required through inter-range and inter-division transfer,” maintained the Minister.