| The
raw material necessary to make this handmade paper is the inner
bark of wild shrubs locally known as LOKTA. Lokta is a
native Himalayan regenerative plant growing in moist coniferous
jungle of 6500 to 9500 feet. It belongs to Daphne genus and Thymelaceccae
family. In Nepal, many kinds of Daphne species are available such
as Daphne bholua, D. retusa, D. sureli and D. cannabina etc. Among
these Daphne bholua is most commonly used to make handmade papers.
It is evergreen
plant of 2m height with smooth grey bark. Leaves are green and alternate.
The flowers are white and have pleasant smell.
The Lokta
plant is regularly cut in a way to maintain the ecological balance
of the area. |
