Baramulla residents seek release of firewood supply for Masjids

Baramulla, Nov 22: With freezing temperatures gripping Kashmir during the mornings and evenings, residents of Baramulla town have urged the authorities to expedite the annual supply of firewood to masjids, a lifeline for maintaining traditional hamams during harsh winter months.

The Forest Department supplies firewood to registered masjids across Kashmir every November, a long-standing practice that helps keep hamams warm for worshippers. Baramulla town has around 130 such registered masjids eligible for this seasonal allocation.

However, this year’s early onset of cold has sharply increased the demand. Locals say the delay in firewood distribution is forcing worshippers to brave biting temperatures during daily prayers.

“The authorities should expedite the supply of firewood to masjids as worshippers are facing severe cold,” said Aijaz Ahmad, a resident of Old Town Baramulla.

Residents have also expressed concern over what they describe as a drastic reduction in the annual firewood quota. Mushtaq Ahmad, a member of a local masjid committee, said each masjid in Baramulla earlier received around 378 quintals of firewood.

“Now the supply has dropped to just 15–20 quintals per masjid, which is nowhere near sufficient,” he said. “For some larger masjids, the quota used to be double. The authorities must revisit this policy and ensure adequate firewood so worshippers are not put to hardship.”

When contacted, Zahid Aslam, DFO Forest (JB Division), said the distribution process is underway. “So far, we have received around 40 applications from masjid committees. Firewood will be supplied within a week,” he said.

Residents, however, maintain that with temperatures already dipping, the process needs to be fast-tracked to ensure that masjid hamams remain functional through the winter.