Small and cottage industries consuming locally available timber and forest products have become a source of income generation for the locals. Dhan Bahadur Reshmi from Daga has started a small industry that produces copies using local forest products. He earns Rs 1 million annually. “Local youths have got opportunity in my industry,” said Reshmi.
Not only Dhan Bahadur, hand-made paper industries in Lekhani have provided job to 30 locals. Most of them are women. Kopila Nepali, a local from Lekhani, said that she was happy to get a job in her own village. “I do not know how to read and write. I come to work after completing household chores,” said Nepali.
According to District Cottage and Small Industries Development Board Office, Baglung, around 1,000 small and cottage industries are in operation in the district. Prem Dhakal, chief of the office, told Republica that annual revenue of these industries hover above Rs 800 million. “The number of small and cottage industries is growing and they have created nearly 5,000 jobs,” he added.
Officials say the number of small and cottage industries is increasing after the office started providing training and subsidy on purchase of equipment and machineries. As many as 128 small and cottage industries have been opened under Community Forest Management Committee which produces hand-made paper, Allo fiber, bamboo products, leaf plates, briquette, soap, candy and other handicraft products.
Similarly, Dhaulagiri Community Resource Development Center (DCRDC) is also supporting in the operation of cottage and small industries. It has been providing Rs 15,000 subsidy to each family willing to start its own venture. “We have been encouraging people to take up small and cottage industry so that local resources are utilized for income generation,” Ishwor Lal Rajbhandari, chairperson of DCRDC, said.
According to Rajbhandari, it plans to spend nearly Rs 7.9 million for such activities. The organization has already imparted income generating skills on nearly 983 locals of the district.
Related story
Office of Cottage and Small Industries provides subsidies to 33...
