Raw Materials
Nepal’s handmade craft paper is made from the fibrous inner bark of a shrub called lokta (Daphne spp.) that is found in an altitude of 2000 to 2700 meter height. It is a forest resource which is of considerable importance in the economies of many poor rural communities. Lokta paper is prized for its long lasting qualities and resistance to insects. The bark from Daphne cannabina and Daphne papyracea, "Lokta" in the local language, provides the fiber from which paper is made. Nepalese lokta paper is prized for its strength and durability. Due to the high length to width ratio of lokta fibers, the paper has a high tearing strength. In addition, paper made from lokta withstands insect attacks, temperature extremes and dampness.