The DFS may not meet even a third of Thimphu’s demand for firewood this year, according to officials.

This is because the increasing demand for firewood is far exceeding the allocated supply quantities established by the DFS. In 2008, Thimphu consumed 7,736 cubic meters or 967 truckloads of firewood from its three Forest Management Units (FMU) that supply the dzongkhag with timber.

At such a rate, the FMUs are used up faster than they can be replenished.

For this year, the Natural Resources Development Corporation Limited (NRDCL), the institution responsible for handling firewood orders, has submitted a request for 10,830 cubic metres or 1,354 truckloads of firewood from the DFS. According to the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Lobzang Dorji, this will not happen, “it will be difficult to meet even one third this year”, he said.

The shortage will get even worse with one of Thimphu’s FMUs, Chamgang being declared a protected park this year. The DFS has only two remaining FMUs. The DFO said one of the remaining FMUs at Bjimena, would last “only another two to three months” and he predicted that Thimphu would face its worst firewood shortage this year.

The DFO suggested that the NRDCL import surplus wood from other districts to avoid this situation from happening.

NRDCL Administrative Officer, Thinley Namgyel, said they may in fact have to implement such a plan although such a move may drive the price of firewood higher.

Both officials believed alternative forms of heating needed to be pursued if such shortages were to be avoided but that these alternatives needed to be widely available, efficient and cheaper.