POKHARA: At the time urban areas in Kaski district have reeled under acute shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), residents in the rural areas find themselves free from anxiety -- they have sufficient firewood at their disposal to cook their meals.

Local Gaajaman Gurung of Nagidhar in Mijure VDC informed that the ongoing blockade at the Nepal-India border has not affected the villager residents much and their life is normal as it used to be in the past.

Another youth Buddhi Gurung of Mirsa in Machhapuchhare VDC in the district informed that the flavour of food cooked using firewood is better than that of cooking gas.

Most of the people in the district are using improved wood-burning stoves, informed Netra Adhikari, a farmer of Astam village in Dhital Village development Committee.

According to Chief District Officer, Krishna Bahadur Raut, firewood is the best alternative to the cooking gas.