Khandapara: The swelling Mahandi river following heavy rains has proved to be a boon for the riparian villagers of Kontilo and Banapur villages here in Nayagarh district.
These villagers usually depend on firewood for cooking. But as the nearby jungles and forest are categorised as reserved, collecting firewood has long been a problem for them.
Though they face many problems during rainy season, it is also an opportunity for them to collect firewood.
During rainy season, uprooted trees, twigs and logs were seen carried along the swollen stream of Mahanadi river.
Many villagers have collected firewood from the river this season as well.
“As the forest has been declared reserved we cannot get our daily requirement of firewood. During rainy season, the river transforms into forest,” some villagers said.
