BHOJPUR, Feb 6: Bhojpur, a district in the eastern hilly region of Nepal, is famous for khukuri. The Bhojpure khukuri, an essential weapon, made in the district is known across the country and abroad.
However, the khukuri industry is facing existential challenges in recent times owing to lack of artisans and raw materials.
The shortage of skilled persons to prepare khukuri is likely to grow more because of the exodus of youths. The youths who used to get skills from the earlier generation are opting for foreign jobs and study at present, said Ghanashyam Bishwokarma, one who runs a furnace to prepare khukuri.
"The number of furnaces used to heat and beat metal to prepare the popular weapon, khukuri, has radically declined in the district," he added.
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The areas producing the weapon are- Kot, Dalgaon, Gogane, Khawa, Khairang, Taksar, Bokhim, Danwa, Timma, Dingla, Deurali, and Jarayotar in the district.
The entrepreneurs complained that the raw materials like coal and sal wood were in short supply while the skilled workforce was also in severe decline, thereby creating the existential crisis of Bhojpure khukuri.
Proprietor of Ranjita Khukuri Industry, Dinesh Gajmer, said, "It is difficult to find artisans, resulting in a slump in khukuri production. However, there is growing demand for the weapon. The workforce available at present are paid much for continuing the profession."
The Bhojpure khukuri is not only used as a weapon but as a gift and decoration.
Varieties of khukuris are produced in the district such as sirupate, banspate, chitlange, kothimuda, panwala, dharkhole and budune.
Hira Shrestha, who runs Urmila Furnace Industry, reminded, "When then King Mahendra visited Bhojpur in 2027BS, a local from Bokhim, Singha Bahadur BK, had gifted him a khukuri, which helped in huge publicity of this product."
In a local market, a khukuri is sold from Rs 800 to 1,800. The rural areas largely use budune and banspate types of khukuri. In addition to local use, this weapon is sold to Dharan, Udayapur, Sankhuwasabha and Kathmandu city as well.
The entrepreneurs have been demanding the governments for assisting in preservation of the khukuri industry.
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