ARTISAN HANDCRAFT
The Art of Paper Making
Explore the ancient, eco-friendly craft of Lokta paper making. A tree-free, durable Himalayan tradition.
Sustainable Nepalese Paper
In the heart of the Himalayas, Nepali craftspeople have been producing handmade paper for over a thousand years. Prized for its durability, soft texture, and natural color, Lokta paper is an environmentally friendly, tree-free paper made from the bark of the regenerating Daphne bush. Originally used in Tibetan monasteries for sacred texts, the making of Lokta paper is a village tradition dating back thousands of years. Today, this ancient technique is used for official government documents in Nepal, as well as Ganesh Himal’s beautiful paper goods. The paper is naturally insect free and will last more than 100 years. Our paper is sourced directly from the paper producers in the Baglung area of Nepal. BWCP has a contract with these producers to buy only their paper in order to sustain their centuries old traditional artform.
Deaf & Womens Empowerment Group (DWEG)
Dedicated to providing vocational skill training and sustainable employment to deaf and hard-of-hearing women. By handcrafting products from eco-friendly Lokta paper, members earn fair wages that foster financial independence and self-confidence in a society where deaf individuals frequently face marginalization. Partnering with Ganesh Himal Trading, the group offers an inclusive, supportive space that promotes long-term empowerment, dignity, and economic self-sufficiency for its artisans.
New Sadle
New SADLE (New Social Actions for Disability and Leprosy Empowerment) is a Nepalese fair trade organization that provides vocational training, medical care, and dignified employment to individuals affected by leprosy and physical disabilities. Its artisans handcraft eco-friendly Lokta paper products, such as journals, cards, and gift wrap, using traditional paper-making techniques. Partnering with Ganesh Himal Trading, New SADLE empowers marginalized producers with fair wages, rehabilitation support, and long-term economic self-reliance.
Bhaktapur Women Craft Paper (BWCP)
Bhaktapur Women Craft Paper (BWCP) is a women-run, worker-owned cooperative that emerged from an original UNICEF project to provide fair incomes to rural and urban Nepalese families. The artisans use sustainable, tree-free bark from the Daphne bush to craft exceptionally durable, traditional handmade paper products like journals, stationary, and gift bags. When the original cooperative faced closure, Ganesh Himal Trading stepped in to help these women reorganize and purchase machinery, preserving a decades-long fair trade partnership and sustaining their livelihoods.
Love the story? Shop our Hand Paper Products
Bring a piece of this legacy into your home. Each item is handcrafted with care by Nepali artisans receiving steady work, fair pay, and community support
