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Nepalese households carry firewood on their backs in Kathmandu, Nepal, 15 November 2015. The Nepal government was to sell firewood to the public from 15 November to ease the fuel crisis situation, authorities said. Nepal is facing fuel shortages due to a border blockade by India, which cites anti-constitution protests in the southern Terai region over the past three months. The state-run Timber Corporation, part of the Forest Ministry, was to sell the firewood from its depots across the country at 15 Nepalese Rupee (14 cents of US dollar) per kilogram, limited to 100 kilogram per family. The Timber Corporation is responsible for selling low-quality timber that cannot be used for construction or furniture. The wood is collected from community and government-owned forests across the country and sold for burning, including cremations. The government also distributes free firewood in some districts during winter for bonfires. According to government figures, 64 percent of Nepal's households still use firewood for cooking, with more turning to the fuel source since deliveries of cooking gas and kerosene from India stopped. (Photo by Narendra Shrestha/EPA)
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