Metal industries in Taksar shrinking

Taksar (Bhojpur), Dec 20: The metal industries in the historical marketplace in Bhojpur district-Taksar- are on the verge of extinction due to lack of skilled human resources and availability of raw materials.

Only two or three families, mostly from Newar communities, in the locality are currently pursuing the processing and production of metal products. 

The industries that once minted coins and manufactured millions worth of products annually have shrunken to the extent that Buddharaj Shakya and a couple of families are making metal materials upon the demand at present. 

Another local involved in the metal business Bimal Kumar Shakya spoke of the need to re-motivate the local metal merchants involved in the production and sale of metal materials to keep alive the metal industries in the ancient marketplace as well as to preserve artworks made up of various metals.

The artisans that were known to make artistic utensils and tools such as Khukuris made from brass, copper and iron have opted for other professions due to the sustainability concern from the profession the scope of which was narrowing worryingly lately. 

Sanukaji Shakya voiced his concern that it was increasingly becoming difficult to save the metal business in Taksar due to the increasing migration rate of artisans elsewhere and departure from their traditional occupation to other lucrative businesses and jobs.

The metal industries here are grappling with a lack of availability of coal, wax and skilled human resources. "Once the bustling marketplace and well-managed industrial center, the marketplace lately wears a deserted look," bemoaned Shakya. 

The local markets in the vicinity of Taksar have seen metal products coming from districts in the Terai area lately given the negligible number of metal industries in the locality, shared local entrepreneur Nawaraj Shrestha. 

"Taksar which was set up during the Rana reign to primarily mint coins has not been able to produce metal products according to the demand due to lack of human resources and decreasing number of industries," he lamented.

According to residents, the Karuwa (traditional jar) and other metal handicrafts and utensils made here have gained international fame given the aesthetics and quality of the products.

The metal industries on the verge of extinction were a cause of concern for CPN (UML) Chairperson and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. In his recent visit to Taksar, Oli took stock of the metal industries and business from the local enterprises, according to entrepreneur Shakya.

Shakya shared that he briefed visiting leader Oli that he made new products such as Karuwa, Kalash (urn), bowl, khukuri and gagri (pitcher) among others from brass and copper after melting old ones. (RSS)