BHOJPUR, Dec 20: The traditional metal industries in the historical marketplace in Bhojpur district-Taksar- are on the verge of extinction due to the lack of skilled human resources and availability of raw materials.
Only two or three families, mostly from Newar communities, in the locality are currently pursuing the processing and production of metal products.
The industries that once minted coins and manufactured products worth millions of rupees annually have shrunken to the extent that Buddharaj Shakya and a couple of families are making metal materials upon the demand at present.
Another local involved in metal business Bimal Kumar Shakya spoke of the need to re-motivate the local metal merchants involved in production and sale of the metal materials to keep alive the micro metal industries in the ancient marketplace as well as to preserve artworks made up of various metals.
Entrepreneur who creates art
The artisans that were known to make artistic utensils and tools such as Khukuris made from brass, copper and iron have opted for other professions due to the sustainability concern from the profession the scope of which was narrowing worryingly lately.
Sanukaji Shakya voiced his concern that it was increasingly becoming difficult to save metal business in Taksar due to the increasing migration rate of artisans to elsewhere and departure from their traditional occupation to other lucrative business and jobs.
The micro metal industries here are grappling with the lack of availability of coal, wax and skilled human resources. "Once a bustling marketplace and well-managed industrial center, Taksar today wears a deserted look," bemoaned Shakya.
The local markets in the vicinity of Taksar see metal products coming in from districts in the Terai area lately given the negligible number of metal industries in the locality, shared local entrepreneur Nawaraj Shrestha.
"Taksar that was set up during the Rana reign to primarily mint coins has not been able to produce metal products according to the demand due to the lack of human resources and decreasing number of industries," he lamented.
According to local residents, the Karuwa (traditional jug) and other metal handicrafts and utensils made here have gained international fame given the aesthetics and quality of the products.
The metal industries on the verge of extinction were a cause of concern for CPN-UML Chairperson and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. In his recent visit to Taksar, Oli took stock of the metal industries and business from the local enterprises, according to entrepreneur Shakya.
Shakya shared that he told Oli that he had made new products such as Karuwa, kalash (urn), bowl, khukuri and gagri (pitcher) among others from brass and copper after melting old ones.
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