Fuelwood Collection and Consumption Pattern in the Buffer Zone of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Western Himalaya, India

The article describes patterns of fuel wood collection and per capita daily consumption across seasons and altitudes in the buffer zone of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Western Himalayas. Three villages, located at different altitudes were monitored during 1994-1995 in order to identify fuel wood collection pattern during 1995-1996 to quantify fuelwood consumption patterns. Rate of fuel wood collection was found to be highest just before the onset of winter during September-October. With declining altitude, per capita daily and seasonal consumption of fuel wood also declined. Average per capita daily consumption was, however, substantially higher in the study villages when compared to other studies. At the household level there was a negative correlation between family size and per capita daily consumption of wood. Easy accessibility to fuelwood in the surrounding forests, cold climatic conditions and the lack of alternatives resources have been identified as the major factors for the higher consumption rates of fuel wood, especially in the higher altitude villages. The findings of the study have been concluded in the light of the sustainable use of wood fuel for the long-term conservation of the buffer zone forest.