A Fading Tradition, Part 2Nepali Paper on the Edge

13 April 2026

In a world dominated by mass-produced goods, Nepalese lokta paper remains a unique and beautiful heritage. Without continued support, however, this Himalayan craft may disappear. ‘Nepali Paper on the Edge’, a new documentary film by Agnieszka Helman-Ważny, gives rare insights into its production.

On the southern edges of the Himalayas, in a rugged climate shaped by cold winters, monsoon rains, and sparse mountain soil, grows the Daphne shrub. In Nepal, it is known as lokta. Found at altitudes between 1,600 and 3,200 metres, this resilient plant has long provided the raw material for one of Nepal’s oldest living traditions: the craft of handmade lokta paper. Valued for its strength, durability, and natural resistance to insects, lokta paper has been an integral part of Nepali culture for centuries. Historically, it was used for sacred Buddhist manuscripts, government decrees, and legal documents. Its production is a result of both human skills and nature’s gifts.

The people who harvest lokta and produce the paper live in remote villages scattered across the Kali Gandaki Valley. These communities, often isolated and without modern facilities, rely on seasonal agriculture and must cope with extreme weather. Craft workshops operate only during the drier months, when the bark can be harvested. Knowledge is transmitted orally and through practice: artisans peel the inner bark without damaging the plant, boil it into pulp, spread it onto wooden frames, and dry the sheets in the sun. This craft is both a daily labour and an important part of local cultural heritage.

However, this tradition is increasingly at risk. The work is physically demanding, involving long treks on steep paths and long hours of boiling and beating pulp under simple conditions. It is often carried out by women, who must combine it with household duties. Earnings remain low, as trade and pricing are largely centralised in Kathmandu, leaving rural producers with limited profits. As Nepal continues to modernise, many young people leave these villages for cities or opportunities abroad, seeing little future in papermaking. Without successors to learn and pass on the craft, entire communities risk losing this knowledge forever.

There are also encouraging developments. Organisations such as UNICEF and local NGOs support sustainable harvesting practices and help form artisan collectives. These groups strengthen skills, improve management and trade practices, and promote environmentally responsible production. Such efforts aim to keep lokta papermaking viable. If new markets can be developed, for example through export, tourism, or partnerships with international companies, the craft may continue to support local livelihoods. Items such as stationery, journals, and artisanal gifts offer promising possibilities for global audiences.

‘Nepali Paper on the Edge’, a new documentary by archaeometrist and paper historian Agnieszka Helman-Ważny, takes viewers to the remote villages and communities that still produce Iokta paper to this day. Agnieszka has been travelling extensively in this part of the world for years, documenting local practices and oral traditions before they potentially disappear forever. Most recently, she released ‘A Fading Tradition: The Production of Manuscripts in Laos’ with Volker Grabowsky. The new film from Nepal continues the ‘Fading Tradition’ series. The films were produced as part of the research Agnieszka is conducting with her colleagues at the CSMC, currently within the ‘Asian Highland Manuscripts’ Working Group.