Over 40 firewood truck loads on sale daily
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 09 2014: The supreme court decree for protecting forest from timber trade is being literally burnt to ashes for over 40 truck load of firewood are sold on a daily basis here.

Contrary to expectations that use of LPGs at homes would reduce demand for firewood the forest product is still considered one of the cheapest ingredients in infrastructure development as contractors and brick farm owners are said to be the chief purchasers of firewood, truck loads of which are openly on sale at the main road next to Khuman Lampak Sports Complex.

According to firewood transporter (driver) cum bulk seller W Rajen the business is very brisk during the dry months as these period is most favourable for black-topping of roads.

Trucks filled with firewood

With melting the bitumen, an essential component of black topping work, demand for firewood is understandably high in winter, Rajen said adding that under normal circumstances the fire trade mostly involves brick farm owners.

Firewood retailers and hotel runners are the other buyers, he maintained.

Heavy vehicles engaged in transporting firewood used to park at the then Khuman Lampak Bus Terminus to wait for the buyers but after the said site has been transformed to Inter State Bus Terminus and used as parking place for passenger and goods carriers firewood transporters have to shift location along the main road, Rajen explained.

Confiding that for the past few years Ukhrul district remains the main source of firewood, he said truckers collect Uyung, Sahyee and Ucham varieties from Ukhrul villages such as Shangshak, Phungyar, Jessami, Lambui, Lambui Sakpao, Osho, Leiting and Phalang.

It is said that a truckload of firewood commands Rs 27,000 to Rs 30,000 price while the fetching rate varies from Rs 20-22,000 for the same quantity.

Inspite of the seemingly profitable business the transporters/traders actually gain minimal profit for unauthorised taxes ranging between Rs 150 to Rs 1050 have to be paid at almost every security force and forest department gates dotting the Imphal-Ukhrul route.

On top of these 'taxes', it is normal for mobile as well as stationary security force teams mainly police commandos and VDFs deployed in Imphal areas to insist that they too be paid for convenient passage, claimed Rajen adding that the latter group do not hesitate to ask from Rs 50 to Rs 300 from each firewood loaded truck.

Conceding that inspite of additional expenditure on top of bearing fuel and food cost, firewood traders are compelled to remain in the trade to support their respective families, Rajen said absence of buyers or disagreement over price/rate of load sometimes result in the transporters having to stay put in their trucks and Shaktiman vehicles for a number of days.

It is said that about 100 heavy vehicles are involved/engaged in the firewood trader.