Thousands of Nepali potters, especially of Madhyapur Thimi locality, are hard hit by an acute scarcity of clay, thanks to galloping urbanisation and multinational projects in progress in the country. It has been reported that over 8000 Prajapati families, who have been engaged in pottery business for centuries, have been facing the shortage as they have been denied access to the sources of clay. One source was Sinditar area, but due to a land-pooling project there, the potters are unable to obtain clay from the site. Majority of them have been bringing clay from Deukhuri, Dang district, at five rupees per kg, which turns out to be extremely expensive for the poor potters. The potters have also complained that though they could use inferior quality clay for terracotta pottery since the clay for this purpose is available locally, export quality does need good quality clay. It is clear that if the authorities concerned do not act immediately on this matter and design a practical solution to help them, many potters will soon be jobless.

At a time when the cottage industries and handicraft businesses are facing high competition from within and without and almost becoming non-existent, it is the responsibility of the state to protect the poor engaged in this low-scale trade. Moreover, pottery is also a reflection of Nepali tradition and culture. Thus in order to give continuity to this art, it is necessary to address the grievances of the potters and rescue them from the current shortage. Since this profession is passed from one generation to another as a family business, it generates income for the families to be self-reliant. Such an employment avenue is vital for a developing country like Nepal that is reeling under poverty and insurgency.

The country cannot afford to have another lot of unemployed mass. Meanwhile, it would be prudent to provide subsidies for importing chemicals and other materials necessary for import-oriented glazed pottery. At the same time, young people should be offered professional training and encouraged to take up this form of art for reasons stated above. In this context, the Small and Cottage Industries office’s assurance to the potters that the issue would be raised with the ministry concerned in order that the trade becomes sustainable is certainly a welcome development.