January 30, 2002

Manthali: The rural people of Ramechhap district are now finding it worth collecting Allo, a nettle-like plant with hair and sting, to generate income.

Allo is a useful plant found in the jungles at an altitude of 8,000 to 12,000 feet.

Thokkarpur, Dhimipokhari, Ramdel, Rasnalu and Chuchure village development committees of Ramechhap are known for the plant the use of which is growing these days.

Earlier, villagers used Allo to make ropes and similar items. But now-a-days the local people are increasingly using the plant to produce quality yarns, which are weaved into clothes.

It is easy to refine Allo and produce strings at homes by setting up small factories. Knowing this, many local youths are now starting cottage industries, registering them at the office of District Cottage and Small Industries, to process raw Allo into yarns.

Mohan Thapa, a resident of Thokarpue-6 and the owner and proprietor of Sano Chuli Allo Processing Factory said, ” The local villagers bring raw Allo to my factory to refine it and produce strings and send it outside the district for sale.”

The thread produced in the local factories is reportedly exported to Japan and other countries to make clothes.

The factories set up in the villages to refine Allos not only provide the locals with employment opportunities but also help increase government revenue and earn foreign currencies, experts said. According to the local people, one kg of the yarn sells for Rs.300 in the local market.