Vol. 7, Issue 1, Part A (2025)

Forests play a crucial role in supporting human welfare by providing a range of ecological, economic, and cultural benefits. In India, a significant portion of the rural population—approximately 70%—relies on forests primarily for fuelwood, which is a major source of energy for cooking and heating. The absence of viable alternative energy sources compels this dependence, leading to unsustainable exploitation and eventual degradation of forest resources. This study investigates fuelwood consumption patterns and their ecological impacts in two villages, Chhani and Lanchan, situated in the Bhaderwah forest division of Jammu and Kashmir. Data was collected through general surveys and structured interviews with local inhabitants.
The findings reveal the usage of twelve plant species for fuelwood: Pinus wallichiana, Pinus roxburghii, Cedrus deodara, Quercus floribunda, Quercus leucotrichophora, Quercus semicarpifolia, Lyonia ovalifolia, Aesculus indica, Pyrus pashia, Indigofera species, Alnus nitida, and Abies pindrow. Among these, Cedrus deodara, Quercus floribunda, and Pinus wallichiana were the most frequently harvested species, primarily due to their abundance and superior fuel properties. However, this preference and the associated harvesting practices are accelerating forest degradation and biodiversity loss in the region.