ITAHARI:  Khukuri-making, the livelihood of the Bishwokarma community in Panchkanya-5 of Sunsari district, is at risk.

A new rule bans them from entering jungles and felling trees to make charcoal. They cannot use imported charcoal as the price of khukuri made over imported charcoal goes up sharply.

Sahibir Bishwokarma said  the khukuris made by them  are in great demand inside and outside the district as well as in foreign countries. The khukuris made here are shiny, strong and durable. Lal Bahadur Bishwokarma, 68, said despite the fact that the khukuri manufactured here has demand they can’t fulfill the demand because of charcoal shortage.

The prices of khukuris range from Rs 200 to Rs 400 and it gets double when contractors sell to buyers, said Lok Bahadur Bishwokarma, chairman of the khukuri makers’ group. A Bishwokarma family makes 10-20 khukuris a day and earns around Rs 200 daily.