Fuelwood Case Study: Bengal

Question 1

Use of fuelwood

Answer 1

To make a profit
Cooking
Main source of income in 10% of the households
More than 70% taken from state owned forests

Question 2

Consequences

Answer 2

Time consuming-7 km walk to look for wood
Women safety compromised
Fuelwood prices rising (30% of income)
Cooking in open fires can cause breathing difficulties and long term respiratory problems
1.3 million children die prematurely every year due to indoor air pollution
Land degradation
Regional air pollution

Question 3

Where is deforestation a major problem and why?

Answer 3

West Bengal
Demand for fuelwood has increased as immigrants have been attracted for work on tea plantations of Jalpaiguri or from surrounding countries