The Forest Ministry on Tuesday decided to provide firewood as an alternative means of fuel to the people who are reeling under acute shortage of cooking gas, petrol, diesel and kerosene. 

Under Forest Minister Agni Prasad Sapkota’s direction, Timber Corporation of Nepal (TCN) is preparing to haul 215 trucks carrying 300 bundles of firewood, Sapkota’s Personal Aide Yuvraj Dulal told the post. 

Employees are working during Tihar holidays to import the firewood to Kathmandu,” Sapkota informed, “We will start selling it as soon as possible.” One bundle of firewood will be of 20 feet long, 5 feet wide and 5 feet in tall.

According to the ministry, the firewood would come from jungles in Bara and Nawalparasi districts. The government is yet to decide the price for the wood. An employee of TCN said, “As per our policy we will sell the wood at cheapest price possible.” 

The firewood will be distributed from Balkumari in Lalitpur and Gaushala, Kathmandu. 

The haulers belonging to TCN will deliver the firewood to Kathmandu. The ministry has asked for fuel for haulers from Nepal Oil Corporation through Import Ministry.