The raw material Lokta is a skin/bark of the Lokta plant - a sapling stick of about 5 to 7 feet in height/length. The word Lokta refers to one of the local species of Daphne Cannabina or Daphne Papyracea - a small woody plant of Laurel family. It is also familiar to Nepalese people by the name of Baruwa or Kaagte Paat. Best quality of Lokta stick usually grows and exists at an altitude of 6000 to 10000 ft. over the highlands of Nepal. Dashain - the great festival of Nepal falling in October each year signals the season beginning Lokta Collection. It is harvested alike the sugarcane stick by cutting it on the stem, about 30 cm above ground level. This plant has got a specific feature of regeneration to maturity again within 4 to 5 years after cut despite of being destroyed.

The Lokta stick if not removed from the forest in its' ideal maturity, it fades, dries up and decays within a couple of months in due course of rain, storm and sun. Thus, by plucking Lokta sticks out, neither the forest is destroyed, nor it harms to fragile forest ecology of Himalayas. Large number of people gets employed and the local Government Authorities also get benefit by the royalty revenue derived from the tax and fee against issuance of the permission to collect the same.

Lokta Paper Characteristics

• Long lasting and excellent durability
• Strength and easily foldable without any crinkle and corrugation
• Excellent for its' rough and attractive texture
• Free from germs and highly resistant to the insects like silverfish, paper crawlers etc
• Non-demolishing immediately in the water too.
• Easy to dye in water with fast color
• Ideal in production without using any machines in entire process
• Highly potential for easy recycling