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Near Abohar town in Punjab, a line of earthen kilns smoulders silently. Inside, stacks of wood burn slowly over days, transformed into charcoal — a fuel still widely used for cooking and heating in many low- and middle-income countries. The process is primitive, and the consequences are stark.
The traditional method of charcoal production — burning wood in low-oxygen conditions — is a cheaper fuel for low-income familes, but bears a heavy price. It releases large amounts of particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and greenhouse gases. Without proper safeguards, the smoke from these kilns contributes to local air pollution and global climate change.
The health effects are equally alarming. Inhaling smoke from unclean fuels is linked to respiratory diseases, heart problems and premature death. For communities living near these kilns, the risk is constant. Trees felled for fuelwood also accelerate deforestation, compounding ecological damage.
In Abohar, these kilns offer a glimpse into an energy practice that’s both essential and environmentally harmful. Cleaner alternatives exist — but they remain out of reach for many. Until then, skies over India’s countryside will continue to darken with the smoke of survival.