Chittilancheri: The demand for firewood has surged as households and hotels face a severe shortage of LPG. However, due to limited availability, firewood prices have also increased, even as restaurants and tea shops increasingly turn to wood as an alternative fuel.

In just one week, firewood prices have jumped by ₹1,000 to ₹1,500 per ton. Most vendors are currently reporting a complete stock-out. The price of tamarind firewood, a staple for domestic and commercial kitchens, has risen from ₹5,000 to ₹6,000 per ton. By the time this wood is processed and transported for retail sale, traders are charging upwards at ₹8,500 per ton.

The price of twig firewood from other trees, which was ₹3,800 per ton, has now increased to ₹4,500. Rubber firewood prices rose from ₹4,000 to ₹5,000, and miscellaneous firewood increased from ₹3,200 to ₹4,200.

Large quantities of firewood are also being diverted to brick and clay kilns. Meanwhile, the local trade of firewood from cut-down trees is also active.

KHRA Initiative: Common Kitchens

In response to the crisis, the Kerala Hotel and Restaurant Association (KHRA) Mannarkkad unit has initiated a plan to set up "common kitchens" using firewood to avoid the closure of restaurants. This decision was taken during a meeting of district and unit office-bearers held on Thursday.

The association plans to utilise auditoriums in Kunthippuzha and Nottamala under the Mannarkkad unit, alongside the facilities of a catering establishment in Pallikurup. The goal is to prepare popular items like biryani, meals, and porotta in bulk at these centralized locations and deliver them to individual hotels based on their daily requirements.

The association has invited suggestions from its members regarding this move. Despite the acute LPG shortage, no hotels in the region have been forced to shut down so far