Nyala, March 18 (Darfur24)
A prolonged shortage of cooking gas in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur State, is forcing residents to rely on firewood and charcoal, accelerating deforestation and threatening the region’s forest resources.
Residents say disruptions to gas supplies from central Sudan have left them with few alternatives, as prices surge and access becomes increasingly limited.
Mohammed Abdullah, a gas distributor, told Darfur24 that the last official shipment reached the city more than 14 months ago. He noted that the price of a gas cylinder, once ranging between 80,000 and 110,000 Sudanese pounds, has risen to between 250,000 and 300,000 pounds on the black market.
He added that some traders smuggle gas from central Sudan or via South Sudan, but at prices beyond the reach of most households.
The shortage has led to a significant increase in the use of firewood in homes and bakeries. One bakery owner said his business now depends entirely on firewood, consuming about two truckloads per month, which doubles production costs.
Firewood transporters said supplies are brought from areas such as Ad-Darfur, Al-Balabil, and Rahad Al-Bardi, where wood is cut in large quantities and transported to Nyala for sale at high prices.
Drivers and local sources warned that nearby forests are being heavily depleted, pointing to illegal logging in areas such as Kandwa Forest, with cutting also expanding into gum arabic-producing regions.
In response, grassroots initiatives have emerged to protect the environment, including protest vigils and local community courts taking action against individuals involved in illegal logging.
Officials have recently begun assessing the scale of damage to forest resources in parts of the state, amid growing fears that the environmental crisis will deepen if gas shortages persist.