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Lokta Bark Collection — Nepalese Handmade Paper Plant
English
BahiniPhool

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BahiniPhool

23. Mata 2026NP
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Lokta Bark Collection — Nepalese Handmade Paper Plant

Complete guide to collecting bark from the lokta (Daphne bholua / D. papyracea) shrub found in the Himalayan region of Nepal to produce world-renowned Nepalese handmade paper. The lokta plant is found at elevations of 1600-4000 meters above sea level, and paper made from its inner bast fiber carries a history of over 1000 years. This guide covers lokta plant identification, sustainable collection methods (without uprooting roots, cutting 20-30 cm above ground — the plant regenerates in 4-6 years), bark separation, drying, soaking in water for 24-48 hours,

Hagati
1-2 days collection, 2-3 days processing

Amabwiriza

1

Introduction to the lokta plant

Lokta (Daphne bholua and Daphne papyracea) is a shrub found at elevations of 1600-4000 meters in the Himalayan region of Nepal. The plant grows 1-4 meters tall and its inner bark (bast fiber) is used to make world-famous Nepali handmade paper. The history of Nepali lokta paper is over 1000 years old — it has been used for religious scriptures, government documents, and artistic paper. Daphne bholua is called "lokta" in Nepali, and D. papyracea is also called "lokta" — paper is made from both species.

2

Identifying harvestable plants

Stems with a diameter of 1-2 centimeters are most suitable for paper making. The plant must be at least 4-5 years old. The bark should peel off easily — fibrous, strong, and flexible. The plant must be healthy: green leaves, strong stem, no signs of disease or pests. Do not cut all plants from the same spot — leave some to maintain ecological balance.
3

Proper time for collection

The best time to collect Lokta bark is from late autumn (October-November) to the beginning of spring (February-March) — that is, before new branches sprout. During this time, the sap of the plant flows less and the bark separates easily. It is not appropriate to collect during the rainy season (June-September) — the bark becomes wet, transportation becomes difficult, and drying is also hard. Collection should be done on dry days.

4

Sustainable cutting method

Cut the stem 20-30 centimeters above the ground — never uproot it. Cut cleanly with a sharp sickle in a single stroke — repeated or tearing cuts damage the plant. This way, the roots and lower portion survive and new branches sprout, regenerating the plant in 4-6 years. This sustainable harvesting method has been practiced in Nepal for generations.

Ibikoresho bikenewe:

Sharp Sickle (Hansiya)Sharp Sickle (Hansiya)
Pruning ShearsPruning Shears
5

Separating the bark

It is best to separate the bark from the cut stems immediately — bark peels off more easily from fresh stems. Make a long slit in the bark at one end of the stem with a knife, then slowly pull and peel the bark away. The bark has two layers: the outer bark (hard, brown) and the inner bark (white-cream colored, fibrous — this is the main raw material for paper). Separate and discard the outer bark, keeping only the inner bark.

Ibikoresho bikenewe:

Utility KnifeUtility Knife
6

Drying the raw bark

Dry the separated inner bark in the shade or moderate sunlight. Spread the bark in an open area with good air circulation — do not pile it up, or it will develop mold. The bark dries well in 2-4 days. Dried bark is light, stiff, and greenish-brown in color. Well-dried bark can be stored for months — keep in a dry place free of moisture. If you do not need to dry it, you can proceed directly to the next step.

Ibikoresho bikenewe:

Drying RackDrying Rack
7

Soaking in water

Soak dried (or fresh) inner bark in clean water for 24-48 hours. This softens the bark fibers and makes it easier to boil in the next step. Use a large container with enough water to completely submerge the bark. Change the water after 24 hours — dust and other impurities will come out in the first water. The soaked bark should be soft, flexible, and easy to break by hand.

Ibikoresho by'iyi ntambwe:

Distilled Water (1 Liter)Distilled Water (1 Liter)50 litiro

Ibikoresho bikenewe:

Large Soaking VesselLarge Soaking Vessel
8

Preparing the ash water

Mix wood ash with water to prepare an alkaline solution. Combine approximately 1 part ash to 5-8 parts water. The ash water is a natural lye that softens the bark fibers and removes lignin and other non-fiber materials from the plant. Mix the ash thoroughly in water, let it settle, and use only the clear upper water. It should be as alkaline as soap (pH 10-12).

Ibikoresho by'iyi ntambwe:

Wood AshWood Ash2 kg
Water for Alkaline SolutionWater for Alkaline Solution15 litiro

Ibikoresho bikenewe:

Mixing BucketMixing Bucket
9

Boiling in ash water

Boil the soaked bark in ash water for 4-6 hours. Place the bark in a large pot or drum and fully submerge in ash water. Boil on medium heat — vigorous boiling can damage the fibers. Stir occasionally. After boiling, the bark becomes extremely soft, slimy, and easily pulled apart by hand. The boiling water turns dark brown-black as lignin and other chemicals leach out. Rinse the bark thoroughly 2-3 times with clean water to remove the ash residue.

Ibikoresho by'iyi ntambwe:

FirewoodFirewood5 kg

Ibikoresho bikenewe:

Large Boiling DrumLarge Boiling Drum
Long Stirring StickLong Stirring Stick
10

Beating — making pulp

Place the softened bark on a stone surface and beat it with a wooden mallet. Through repeated beating, the bark fibers break down and form pulp. Sprinkle a little water during the beating process — this helps spread the fibers evenly. Beat until the pulp is uniform, fine, and has a yogurt-like consistency. There should be no large lumps or partially beaten pieces — these cause uneven spots in the paper. One kilogram of dry bark can produce approximately 40-60 sheets of paper.

Ibikoresho bikenewe:

Wooden Mallet (Mungro)Wooden Mallet (Mungro)
Flat Stone SlabFlat Stone Slab
11

Spreading on the sanglo frame — making paper

Spread the prepared pulp evenly on a sanglo (a wooden frame with cloth stretched over it). The sanglo is placed in a flowing stream or a basin of water. Mix the pulp with water to form a thin slurry, then spread it evenly by hand on the sanglo. Paper thickness is determined by the amount of pulp — typically 0.1-0.3 millimeters thick. There should be no lumps or air bubbles when spreading. One sanglo produces one sheet of paper.

Ibikoresho by'iyi ntambwe:

Clean Water for Pulp DilutionClean Water for Pulp Dilution20 litiro

Ibikoresho bikenewe:

Sanglo (Wooden Frame with Cloth Screen)Sanglo (Wooden Frame with Cloth Screen)
12

Drying in the sun

Place the sanglo with the spread pulp in the sun to dry. Keep the sanglo flat; a slight tilt can be given to allow water to drain. In direct sunlight, the paper dries in 4-8 hours depending on weather. On cloudy days it takes longer. The paper must dry completely — partially dried paper will develop mold. After drying, carefully peel the paper from the sanglo — pulling too hard can tear it.

Ibikoresho bikenewe:

Sanglo (Wooden Frame with Cloth Screen)Sanglo (Wooden Frame with Cloth Screen)
13

Quality inspection

Inspect the quality of the dried paper: even thickness (no thin or thick spots visible when held up to light), strength (gently pull — good paper does not tear easily), surface smoothness, and color (natural cream-white). Lokta paper is naturally insect-resistant — the natural chemicals in the Daphne plant repel insects. This quality is why religious texts written on lokta paper have survived for centuries. Paper with holes, stains, or uneven spots is considered lower grade.
14

Storage and Use

Store the prepared lokta paper by stacking it on a flat surface in a dry, moisture-free location. Keep it in a place where direct sunlight does not fall — prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause the paper to turn yellow. Clean paper or cloth can be placed between the sheets of lokta paper. Uses of lokta paper: government certificates, religious texts, artistic prints, envelopes, gift wrapping, lampshades, and book binding. Handmade lokta paper from Nepal is sold at high prices in the international market — especially in Japan, Europe, and America.

Ibikoresho bikenewe:

Flat Storage ShelfFlat Storage Shelf

Ibikoresho

5

Ibikoresho bikenewe

12

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