DANG: A leaf plate manufacturing enterprise in Kalamkhola of Dangisharan Rural Municipality-2 in Dang district has created regular employment and income opportunities for 20 local residents, primarily women, by utilizing sal leaves from nearby community forests.
The enterprise, named Dangisharan Duna Tapari Industry, is operated by the Hamro Rajakot Multipurpose Co-operative Limited and has been producing traditional green leaf plates known as duna and tapari for the past two years. Raw leaves gathered from the adjacent Rajakot-Tilakanya Community Forest are processed daily, resulting in an average output of around 1,500 finished leaf plates per day, according to industry manager Chakramilan Vishwakarma.
The venture was established with a total investment of Rs 2.5 million, aimed at helping local residents living on the fringes of the forest earn money through forest products. The facility received machinery and a collection building worth Rs 990,000 through the support of the Forest and Farm Facility program and FAO Nepal, while the remaining capital was provided by the cooperative. Specialized equipment is used to thoroughly clean dirt, dust, and insects from the sal leaves before processing, which ensures consistent product quality.
Manager Vishwakarma explained that after covering all operational costs, including raw material procurement, labor, and overheads, the enterprise achieves an annual net savings of approximately Rs 200,000. He added that the main goal of the venture is to impart practical skills to local women and provide them with village-based jobs in what was historically a remote area.
Local workers including Tila Pun and Kewali Khadka expressed satisfaction with the facility, stating that gathering leaves alongside daily household tasks now earns them extra money and eases family expenses. Previously confined to collecting firewood and doing domestic work, local women now have direct access to productive skills and sustainable financial opportunities.
