Locals collect driftwood from Kali Gandaki River despite risks

By Radha Krishna Dumre

Waling (Syangja), Aug.5: Locals have been collecting firewood from the swollen Kali Gandaki River risking their lives.

Residents of Ramdi in Galyang Municipality-1 often go to the river to collect floating logs, especially when the water volume is high.

Dol Bahadur Gaha, a local, said that many people from Ramdi come to collect wood. He too had gone to the riverbank to gather logs, as they bring in good money.

Min Bahadur Hitan, another local, said that they collect the wood carried downstream by the current. “We give the wood we collect to the Gurukul here in Ramdi, they will manage it,” he said. The Gurukul pays them for firewood, he added. These collected logs are used in traditional Hindu cremation rituals. 

Krishna Basyal, the principal of Ramadi Dham Gurukul, said that firewood is mainly used for funeral rites. “The locals sell the wood to the Gurukul. We pay them and later we supply the logs to people for cremation,” 

According to Basyal, Gurukul has paid a total of Rs. 2.431 million to locals for the wood collected from the swollen Kali Gandaki River. A single standard log is purchased for Rs. 2,500, while wood for cremation is provided for Rs. 3,000. After managing all expenses, Gurukul has saved Rs. 329,000 from logs.

On Sunday, the water level in the Kali Gandaki reached its highest point this year. Taking advantage of the opportunity, many locals started their firewood collection efforts.

Yubaraj Bastola, a local, said that since the Division Forest Office has banned firewood collection from community forests, people are relying on the river instead. He also added that collecting wood along the chaotic and fast-flowing riverbank involves a lot of risk.