Himalayan Lokta Paper
Nepalese lokta paper, made from Daphne cannabina and Daphne papyracea trees, is prized for its strength and durability. Due to the high length to width ratio of the fibres, the paper has a high tearing strength, resistance to insects, temperature extremes and dampness. In Nepal and Tibet, lokta paper continues to be used for the preparation of legal documents, for which durability over many generations is a fundamental requirement.

Bhaktapur Craft Papers (BCP) was established in 1981 as a community development program, aiming specifically to improve the quality of life of poor Nepali communities by enabling the lokta craftsmen and their families to revitalize their local economies, and divert profits into water, sanitation and education projects.

Lokta is harvested by cutting the stems at ground level without destroying the main root so that a new shoot can grow and mature. However, by the 1980s over-harvesting had threatened the viability of the lokta paper industry and the fragile environment of the Himalayas. As a solution, BCP established a harvest quota and an eight year rotation cycle, allowing ample time for new shoots to mature for harvest. They also introduced new cooking methods and more efficient stoves to reduce fuel wood used in lokta paper production by 50-70%.