MURREE: The forest department has distributed only 360 tons against the allocated quota of 1,400 tons firewood in Murree this winter, sources told Dawn on Wednesday.

Though gas has been provided to Murree city, Sunny Bank, Kuldana, Jika Gali, Gharyaal, Lower Topa, majority of the rural areas are still without this facility and they are dependent on firewood in severe weather conditions.

The forest department provides firewood on subsidized rates fixed by the Punjab government.

When contacted Divisional Forest Officer Murree Division Waheehdudeen Ahemad said firewood to Murree and Kotli Sattiyan was supplied from various forests of Punjab. Since there was a complete ban on felling trees this year, hence the shortage of firewood.

To meet the rising demand the Punjab government lifted the ban in Khushab, Bhakhar and Cheechawatni divisions’ forests in December, that is why supply got late.

As soon as the forest department receives wood from these areas, it supplies to the affected areas, he added.

Published in Dawn, February 23rd, 2017