The demand for firewood has seen a sharp rise across several rural and semi-urban parts of Karnataka in recent weeks, as disruptions in the supply of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) has pushed households and businesses back to traditional cooking fuels. The surge, triggered by supply constraints linked to the ongoing West Asia crisis, has also given rise to a parallel, largely informal, firewood market in many districts.

In Kodagu district, residents in small towns are increasingly turning to firewood, prompting estate owners and rural households to begin selling wood, a practice that was uncommon until recently. The trade has even moved online, with sellers using WhatsApp groups to connect directly with buyers.

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Prithvi Bopanna, a resident of Gonikoppa in south Kodagu, said the demand has grown rapidly from both households and commercial establishments. “We are selling firewood from our estates, and also sourcing from other estates to meet demand. Hotels and homes are both purchasing,” he said.

According to him, a pickup jeep load of firewood is currently priced between ₹5,000 and ₹7,000, depending on quality and quantity.

Hotels revert to firewood

A similar trend is visible in Shivamogga, where many hotels have been forced to abandon LPG-based cooking due to the non-availability of commercial cylinders. Several establishments have reverted to traditional firewood stoves, with piles of wood now a common sight on hotel premises.

A cashier at Meenakshi Bhavan, a hotel in Shivamogga, said the shift was unavoidable. “We had to switch to firewood cooking as LPG cylinders were not available. However, even firewood costs have increased, and we are sourcing and storing stock from private farms to ensure continuity,” he said.

In Mysuru, the impact of the LPG shortage has driven both households and the hospitality sector to rely on firewood, leading to a spike in prices and demand.

Firewood sales double

Arif, who runs a timber depot on Benki Nawab Street in Mysuru, said his daily sale has more than doubled. “Earlier, I would sell around 500 kg of firewood a day, mostly to caterers. Now, I am selling more than double that quantity, with households and hotels becoming regular customers,” he said.

He added that prices have increased from ₹60–₹70 for 10 kg to ₹80–₹100, reflecting both higher demand and limited supply. Timber merchants in nearby Hunsur, from whom he sources wood, are struggling to keep up with the rising requirement.

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Mysuru Hotel Owners’ Association president Narayan Gowda said that the situation has left hotel owners with limited choices. “With the suspension of commercial LPG supply, many are either forced to shut down or switch to firewood. Paying ₹6,000–₹7,000 for a LPG cylinder in the black market is not viable,” he said.

No significant spike in demand for firewood in backward areas

The situation in the rural hinterlands appears different since firewood is already the primary cooking fuel. Woodcutting industries in the Yadgir district, in Kalyana Karnataka region, have reported a modest increase in demand, estimated at 10–15% above normal levels. Traders in Yadgir said firewood is being sold at around ₹70 per kilogram and ₹700 per quintal, with no significant supply constraints so far.

Shelter turns to firewood to feed hundreds of animals in Mysuru

People For Animals (PFA) Mysuru has adapted its operations to ensure uninterrupted care for hundreds of animals despite a shortage of commercial gas cylinders.

Anil, manager of PFA Mysuru, said the shelter transitioned to using firewood for cooking. “While the shortage affected our routine, we quickly shifted to firewood. It has proven to be faster and more efficient for large-scale cooking,” he said.

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The shelter houses 140 dogs in its treatment section, 120 in the permanent section, 90 puppies, and 7 pigs. In addition, it feeds around 350 animals daily at the facility, and nearly 100 community dogs in areas such as Bogadi and the Mysore University campus. To sustain operations, PFA Mysuru has procured around 1.5 tonnes of firewood.

(With inputs from Darshan Devaiah B.P., Laiqh A. Khan, Sathish G.T. and Ravikumar Narboli)

Forest department suspends firewood auctions

Amid a shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) supply in Karnataka, the State Forest Department has decided to temporarily halt the auction of firewood to curb hoarding and ensure availability for essential use.

In a circular issued on March 18, the department instructed divisional-level officials to suspend ongoing and upcoming firewood auctions, citing the likelihood of increased demand for alternative fuel sources in the coming weeks.

The department operates 39 permanent depots, along with several temporary ones, where firewood is usually sold through an online auction system. However, the forest department has now been directed to exercise caution in releasing stock.

An exception has been made for domestic consumers, allowing limited access to firewood. At the same time, officials have been asked to prioritise future requirements of anganwadis, hostels and similar institutions that depend on such fuel for daily operations.