Cow dung products draw visitors’ attention at Sundarharaicha Expo

By Hari Prasad Koirala,Urlabari, Feb. 17: At the ongoing Sundarharaicha Birat Exposition in Biratchowk, Sundarharaicha-10, an exhibit featuring puja materials made from cow dung has captured visitors’ attention.

Unnat Goth Pvt. Ltd., based in Jamunagachhi, Biratnagar-5, has set up a small stall at the expo, showcasing these eco-friendly products. The company's proprietor, Bevina Dahal, has been engaging with visitors, answering their queries about the puja items and household products crafted from cow dung. 

Encouraged by the positive response and good sales at the Birat Expo, she decided to bring her products to Biratchowk as well.

Dahal’s enterprise manufactures over a hundred items, including lamps, kalash (sacred pots), various idols, flowers, lamp stands, and even replicas of Lord Vishnu’s feet. She emphasises that these products are affordable and environmentally friendly.

The business operates by providing shelter to non-milking cows and utilising their dung to create these products. 

At present, Dahal employs ten women in her factory. She initially invested 700 thousand rupees to start the venture and introduced her products to the public for the first time at the Biratnagar Expo. 

“The response was overwhelming,” she said. “Sales were good, so I decided to showcase them at Biratchowk as well.”

Dahal, who previously worked in clothing trade and later in banking, ventured into this business with the determination to do something on her own. 

She believes her initiative has provided employment opportunities for housewives and ensured proper care for non-milking cows. She sees potential for similar businesses to be established in cow shelters across the country.

“Anything that can be made from clay can also be made from cow dung,” she stated. “Our products are affordable, which is why most visitors end up buying something after hearing about them.” 

Dahal also claimed that Unnat Goth Pvt. Ltd. is the first industry in Nepal to manufacture products from cow dung.