Chautara, Mar. 25:The farmers of Golche Village Development Committee ward No. 1 Sangagulinga and ward No. 8 Sindurche village have been earning a living by making bamboo goods.

The one crop of wheat and potatoes received by the farmers living in the remote foothills of Jugal Himal is sufficient for them for only three months a year.

Majority of the people living in the VDC which falls within the Langtang National Park bring “Nigalo” (a kind of bamboo species) from the nearby forest and weave baskets, mats, trays and other goods and earn a living by selling them.

The people walk a distance of four days to the villages near the district headquarters and barter their goods for foodgrains rather than money.

The bamboo mats are used by the people of the hilly areas for storing foodgrains and making cowsheds during winter.

Dawa Tshering Tamang, a resident of ward No. 1 of Golche VDC, says that Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000 a year can be earned by making bamboo goods.

Karpu Sherpa, a resident of ward No. 8 of Golche VDC, says that he earns about Rs 40,000 a year through this vocation.

The people living in the upper hills and foothill make an extra income by weaving bamboo mats, trays and other goods.

Chandra Bahadur Shrestha, 74, a resident of ward No. 1 of Siruwari village development, who has been involved in this profession since the age of 10 says that his requirments of salt and edible oil are fulfilled by making and selling bamboo goods.

Chet Bahadur Shrestha, 65, a resident of the same ward, says that  the wages earned by him by weaving bamboo baskets has helped him to run his house and save Rs 30,000 in the bank.

The farmer, who sells bamboo baskets at prices ranging from Rs 35 to Rs 80, is involved in making bamboo baskets during his spare time.

Meanwhile the people involved in making “Damlo” (head support used for carrying goods in bamboo baskets) and ropes   have been disappointed as the people have started using nylon ropes for the purpose.