Abstract
The aim of the present study was to understand fuelwood consumption pattern of the villager at different altitudes in Takoli Gad Watershed. Three different altitudes i.e., 500-800 m (lower altitude) 800-1100 m (middle altitude), 1100-1500 m (upper altitude) were selected. At each altitude three villages were selected i.e., Dangchaura, Pali, Sauru (500-800 m), Takoli Tolu Amoli (800-1100 m) and Maikhandi Riscoti Kwili (1100-1500 m). Each selected village was further categorized based on family size into small, medium and large to observe impact of family size on fuelwood consumption. The results indicate that fuelwood consumption among family size (irrespective villages) ranged from 430.70 to 643.61 kg/capita/year (lower altitude), 486.66 to 689.90 kg/capita/year (middle altitude), 406.57 to 675.25 kg/ capita/year (upper altitude). The consumption of fuelwood increased with increasing altitudes as 541.8 (500-800 m), 554.97 (800-1100 m) and 557.71 kg/capita/year (1100-1500 m). However, fuelwood consumption with family size (irrespective altitudes), showed reduced with increasing family size from small > medium > large as 669.58 (small family), 543.35 (medium family) and 441.88 (large family). In the study, it has been observed that villagers collected fuelwood from forest and agro forestry field where agroforestry contributed 25-30% fuelwood consumption for villager’s need, which directly helps in reducing pressure on forest.
Highlights
In many developing countries the consumption of biomass as fuel has been identified as one of the most significant cause of forest degradation
The results indicate that fuelwood consumption among family size ranged from 430.70 to 643.61 kg/capita/year, 486.66 to 689.90 kg/capita/year, 406.57 to 675.25 kg/ capita/year
At lower altitude (500-800 m), in village Dangchaura, fuelwood consumption in small family was observed the highest (496.40 kg/ capita/year), whereas, the lowest value of fuelwood consumption was reported in large family (350.40 kg/capita/year)
Summary
In many developing countries the consumption of biomass as fuel has been identified as one of the most significant cause of forest degradation. The use of wood as a means of generating heat energy, for cooking and heating is still very much relevant in the developing countries, most especially those of sub-Saharan Africa [3]. Apart from the use of biomass, especially wood, for cooking and heating, the inhabitants of these countries have depended, for livelihood and sustenance, on their indigenous plants resources for centuries. They depend on them for food security and a host of everyday products, from medicines to fibers [7]
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