Domestic Firewood Consumption Pattern and Degradation of Forest Cover: A Case Study of Mokokchung Town, Nagaland

Abstract

In the developing counties of the world, domestic cooking energy meets mostly by firewood. However, in India the majority of urban households are switching from firewood to modern clean cooking energy due to smoke hazard and cooking space limitation. Domestic firewood demand and consumption pattern in the Mokokchung town area was studied interviewing 137 households. The study reveals that cooking by firewood is a regular practice among town dwellers even though other alternative clean energy sources were available for use. Demand for firewood and forest degradation status of the state was analysed. It was found that the availability and quality of firewood have degraded in recent years. The study shows firewood consumption rate in the area is 610±42 kg capita year. Estimating from AGB of the state, every year the town population alone consumes about 15 sq km area of forest cover as firewood which may be collected from up to 40 km distance. The study may help planners for better forest and environmental management.