सिंहदरबार संवाददाता
Bhojpur. The eastern hilly district of Bhojpur is famous for its Khukuri business. Khukuri made here is not only popular within Nepal but also abroad.
Recently, however, the business has started facing problems due to lack of skilled craftsmen and raw materials. On the one hand, the lack of skilled craftsmen, and on the other hand, the migration of young people who need to learn skills abroad, have taken a toll on this business.
Says that the number of young people going abroad for employment and education is increasing, and Aran industrialist Ghanshyam Bishwakarma said, “The number of Aran industries that make Khukuri is decreasing day by day due to the migration of young people and the lack of raw materials.”
Bhojpure Khukuri is being made in areas including the district headquarters, Kot, Dalgaun, Gogane, Khawa, Khairang, Taksar, Bokhim, Dawa, Timma, Dingla, Deurali, Jarayotar and other areas. Due to the lack of raw materials, industries in these areas have also been forced to close.
Entrepreneurs complain that the production of Bhojpuri Khukuri, famous since the Rana period and the Panchayat period, has started to decline due to the shortage of manpower and raw materials such as pine wood, coal, and balls.
Dinesh Gajmer, the operator of Ranjita Khukuri Industry, said, ‘Currently, skilled craftsmen are not found, there is a shortage of wood. That is why production is stagnant, and demand has not been met. Due to the shortage of skilled workers, there is a situation where they have to pay high wages.’
Hirah Shrestha, owner of Urmila Aran Udyog Bhojpur, said that Bhojpur Khukuri is used, decorated, and sold for welcoming and farewelling employees.
Bhojpur produces Khukuri such as Sirupate, Basampate, Chitlange, Kothimuda, Paanwala, Dharkhole, Buduna, etc. ‘It is said that Khukuri production has started here since 1965. “When the then King Mahendra visited the district around 2027 BS, a local from Bokhim, Sing Bahadur BK, gave him a khukuri as a gift and after it was promoted by King Bakshis, the khukuri here became popular,” he said.
The price of a khukuri in the local market ranges from Rs 800 to Rs 1,800 per piece. Budune and bamboo khukuri are more commonly used in the rural areas of the district.
The khukuri here is transported to foreign countries via Dharan, Udayapur, Khandbari, Kathmandu and even for souvenirs, gifts and decorations. There is a demand from the government for its conservation.
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