Besides Chaudhary, many young people in her village are receiving the training organised by Satti Karnali Community Forest. Consumers of the forest hope that the training will help create employment opportunities for the youths. “My parents, who are daily wage workers, can barely make ends meet. I think I can manage education expenses on my own after receiving this training,” said Chaudhary, adding that she is happy to spend her spare time receiving the training.
Maniram Dhungana, secretary of the community forest, said the forest office had allocated Rs 500,000 to produce bamboo items in the current fiscal year. “We have been providing training to unemployed youths free of cost,” said Dhungana.
According to representatives of the community forest, the trainees will get jobs after the completion of their training.
“Trainees can make chairs, baskets and flower vases. They won’t face difficulties selling those items,” Dhungana said. “The community forest itself will purchase the bamboo items and sell them in the city areas.”
Satti Karnali Community Forest produces plenty of canes (Bet Baans). The forest exported around 11 quintals of canes to India this year alone.
The community forest has been making around Rs 6 to 7 million profit by selling canes annually, said Dhan Singh Saud, chairman of the community forest.
Locals also get to earn money by cutting canes during the season.
“We provide people with Rs 900 for cutting a quintal of canes. One individual can cut one to 1.5 quintals of canes on a daily basis,” said Dhungana.