Mountain. Parbat: Gandaki State’s second ply industry has come into operation at Paradi of Kushma Municipality-8 in Parbat district. Shiva Sharma Adhikari, a resident of Katuwa Chaupari of Kusma Municipality, has now started the ‘Bindvasini Venier Industry’ which has been running for the last 16 years as a ply manufacturing industry.

Generally, ply industries are operating in small quantities in the hilly areas. Although it would be challenging to operate industries in low-density areas, Adhikari has set up industries to save employment and transportation for the people of the district. The raw material of ply, which was being prepared in the ‘Veneer’ industry located in Paradima, was taken to the Akala Ply Industry operated by Adhikari in Bahadurgunj of Kapilvastu. The ply produced there was sold again in Gandaki state.

Adhikari has shifted the ply industry of Bahadurgunj to Paradi after the cost of transportation increased when raw materials from the district were brought back to Kapilvastu and brought back to Gandaki State. Around 300 people will get employment opportunities in the ply industry, which has been constructed at a cost of about Rs 100 million. According to the operator, the people of the district will get employment opportunities by operating the industry from their native place and the kukathas in the rural areas will get the market.

“At a time when the problem of unemployment and migration is increasing, his industry has been shifted here to provide employment opportunities to the people of his own district. It will also be easier in terms of transportation of raw materials here,” he said, adding, “It will also help in the development of industries in the hilly areas.” Many people are still getting employment in the veneer industry operating here. Now that the ply industry is also operating from here, about 300 people will get employment opportunities. ’

Most of the ply produced from Kapilvastu is still consumed in Gandaki state and now the ply produced from Parbat will also be exported to the same market, he said. It used to be exported to Dang, Nepalgunj, Rukum, Rolpa, Salyan, Butwal, Pokhara and Lamjung districts.

Until now, the veneer produced in the mountains was taken to Kapilvastu, made ply and brought back to the area and sold. Now that the production is from the mountains, the cost of transportation of raw materials is going to be reduced. This will increase the company’s profits and make the rate of customers cheaper.

Earlier, there was a ply industry in Damauli of Tanahun in Gandaki State and the second industry to operate in Parbat. However, he said that the operation of the industry is challenging considering the current situation of Nepal, economic challenges and the situation of investment from banks. He also expressed concern over the situation where the forest act of Nepal has caused problems to both the industry and the citizens.

“Nepal’s Forest Act is complicated and it is difficult to buy fallen and rotten trees. There are many challenges faced by the citizens and buyers are also facing challenges in selling timber, including utis in their land,” adhikari said, adding that if it is not wasted, then the farmers have the opportunity to earn how much income. Although the Gandaki state government has said that the Forest Act will be made easier and wood will be treated as fresh vegetables, the situation has not become easy. ’