Lokta changing lives in the Nepali hills

Lokta’s scientific name is Daphne papyracea and Daphne bholua. Lokta is one of the longest and strongest natural fibers in Nepal. The lokta plants grow naturally in most forests in Nepal at an altitude of 2,000 meters to 4,000 meters. According to the Handmade Paper Association of Nepal, about more than 100,000 metric tons of raw lokta is available in Nepal of which 1,000 metric tons are collected each year. Lokta is mainly produced in Jajarkot, Dailekh, Bajhang, Rukum and Solukhumbu districts according to a GIZ report on the lokta paper industry. While the paper was first made in China 2000 years ago and handmade paper-making started in Nepal in the twelfth century with lokta paper being made in the hills. Lokta paper was used for all government documents and religious text and legal correspondence was done on this paper until 1959. Nepal’s land ownership papers (lal purja), court documents, and other key documents were printed on handmade paper. The biggest demand for handmade paper used to come from Buddhist monasteries as they printed, wrote and drew the teachings of Buddha on this handmade paper. Popular products made from handmade paper include diaries, notebooks, photo albums and frames, colored and plain sheets, gift boxes, bags, greeting cards, and other products. Paper made from lokta fiber is very strong. It doesn’t damage or get destroyed by insects easily. The lokta making process is human resource intensive. Collectors peel the bark from the lokta bush in the forest and dry it in the sun. It is then immersed in water to soften and is cleaned. The lokta is boiled using a mixture of water and ashes or caustic soda. The lokta is washed and beaten with a wooden mallet to turn it into pulp. The softened pulp is then moulded on wooden frames by spreading the pulp out thinly. The paper frames are dried in the sun and paper is removed from the frame. Producers offer a larger variety of colors and imprints with natural leaves and flowers and smell made smooth for writing and printing. Techniques of cutting, pasting and binding are also improving. Handmade paper is formed from the pulp of lokta bark processed using hand-held devices. It is widely used as it is durable and artistic paper and perfect for interesting stationery and handicraft products.

Private sector companies now make handmade paper and paper products for export and the tourist market. The handmade paper industry in Nepal currently is said to employ about 6,500 families in rural areas and cities. Good markets in Europe, the USA and Japan have helped a lot of families in Nepal.

Lokta is not cultivated by humans and they use what is found in nature, it takes up to eight years for the plant to grow back again so it can be used again. This is why it is important to make sure lokta harvesting is sustainable for the long term and the environment and ecosystems are not damaged in any way.