Wood carving enterprises and livelihood in Bungamati, Lalitpur District

Abstract

The study “Wood Carving Enterprises and Livelihood in Bungamati, Lalitpur district” was carried out with the objectives of assessing the development pattern of wood carving enterprises, examining market chain and finding out problems of the enterprises. The data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. The field survey was carried out employing various techniques like observation, enterprise survey, FGD, KIS, informal interview and in-depth interview. Bungamati has a long history of wood carving. This occupation is regarded as a major source of livelihood since 1970s. In the past the people had other occupations such as different types of carving, carpentry, wage laboring etc to supplement to the agriculture. Now a days the situation has changed. The skill of wood carving has passed through apprenticeship from the senior to young generation. Nevertheless, there are some entrepreneurs who have formal training. Most of the entrepreneurs have chosen this occupation for being a profitable and some have adopted to conserve culture and tradition. Being a skill-oriented the most of the enterprises have been established with small capital. But income is adequate for expansion although there is an irregularity of income in terms of season and months. More than fifty percent of the entrepreneurs are in 15 to 45 years age group and most of them are only literate. Most enterprises produce goods on the basis of demand and some produce additional goods also. More than 90 percent goods are consumed by foreigners. Most of them like sculpture of Buddha, Tara and Ganesh, and frame. They carve different figure in windows, doors and struts for temple and house on the basis of demand. Tourists buy some products from the enterprises. Some enterprises have direct contact to the foreign countries and others sell to the middlemen, retailers and curio shops of the valley. The instable political condition of the country is not favorable for any enterprise and the wood carving enterprises have been affected directly or indirectly. Even time movements of political and non-political organizations can affect their marketing system and may have shortage of raw materials in market. Lack of cooperation among them, market related problems and competition with machinery products are the major problems of the enterprises. The prospect will be more if the concerned agencies and persons pay their attention to develop the enterprises. On the basis of theoretical ground, we conclude that the households (enterprises) utilized their capabilities fully by using the skill, knowledge and labours.