Meet the Incubatees
Bagmati Cohort #2

Anil Kumari Chaudhary
Tharu Kasthakala Udhyog is a vibrant business nestled in Baijnath-1, Gabhar, Banke District. Established by Anil Kumari Chaudhary and her family, the company is dedicated to producing a diverse range of traditional wooden handicrafts. Tharu Kasthakala Udhyog is committed to quality and sustainability, aiming to preserve the rich cultural heritage of the Tharu community. Beyond crafting beautiful products, the company also focuses on creating job opportunities for local youth, fostering both economic growth and cultural pride in the region. The raw materials used in production consist of various types of wood, sourced from saw-mills and community forest user committees, as well as private forests. The company specialises in crafting traditional wooden items, including dokni (traditional mixer) cups, foot baskets, trays, connectors, glasses, chopping boards, rolling pins, and halow jua (traditional beds).

Hiradhar Gautam
Sunrise Taps and Valve Industries Pvt. Ltd. is a local company dedicated to providing sustainable metal products to the communities in and around cities like Kathmandu, Narayanghat, Butwal, and Surkhet. Their focus is on producing affordable water taps, gate valves, and ferrule cocks, crafted by melting down discarded brass items. By repurposing brass scrap, Sunrise Taps not only reduces waste but also minimizes the need for new raw materials, which helps lessen the environmental impact of manufacturing. The recycling process involves collecting old brass materials, carefully melting them down, and refining the metal into durable, high-quality parts. Beyond providing quality products, Sunrise Taps encourages people to adopt sustainable practices through its social media, sharing practical tips on conscious living. While their current market is local, Sunrise Taps aims to expand their eco-friendly reach across Nepal, offering a strong Nepali alternative to imported goods.

Sandeep Sapkota
Gramin Udhyam Adharshila, formerly known as Shubha Laxmi Laboratories, based in Butwal-6, Chandranagar, core objective is to produce eco-friendly products using locally-sourced raw materials. It focuses on extracting fibre from discarded banana stems to produce yarn, which is then used to make sustainable textiles like saris, shawls, kurtas, and other handwoven fabrics. To meet its raw material needs, the industry collaborates with farmers in Pratapur Susta, Nawalparasi, by providing them with fibre extraction machines, turning discarded banana stems into a source of supplementary income for these farmers. While the primary market remains local, this initiative not only fosters environmental sustainability but also supports the livelihood of banana farmers by reducing agricultural waste and enhancing income opportunities.

Gita Poudel
Gramin Udhyam Adharshila, formerly known as Shubha Laxmi Laboratories, based in Butwal-6, Chandranagar, core objective is to produce eco-friendly products using locally-sourced raw materials. It focuses on extracting fibre from discarded banana stems to produce yarn, which is then used to make sustainable textiles like saris, shawls, kurtas, and other handwoven fabrics. To meet its raw material needs, the industry collaborates with farmers in Pratapur Susta, Nawalparasi, by providing them with fibre extraction machines, turning discarded banana stems into a source of supplementary income for these farmers. While the primary market remains local, this initiative not only fosters environmental sustainability but also supports the livelihood of banana farmers by reducing agricultural waste and enhancing income opportunities.

Suklal Rawat
Rapti Kapas Tatha Sirak Dashana Udhyog processes old clothes to create white, red, and black cotton, using it to make mattresses and bedding products to promote a pollution-free environment. Established in 2017 by Shuklal Rawat, this industry has gained a good market presence as a producer in Ghorahi, Dang. The industry manufactures a variety of products including mattresses, pillows, bolster pillows, cushions, and bedding items using processed old clothes. Most of the items produced by Rapti Kapas Tatha Sirak Dashana Udhyog are made and sold mainly during the winter season. The company also provides training to new workers in the production of mattresses and pillows. The products are sold at a reasonable rate in the market, making them accessible and affordable to more customers.

Hari Bhandari
Prakriti Bio Fertilizer Industry began operations in 2078 BS (2021). Their products are sold in villages and towns like Butwal, Palpa, and Dang, and their primary objective is to promote local self-sufficiency, environmental sustainability, and economic empowerment within the community. During training in Jayanagar, Rajasthan, India, they learned about earthworm farming and organic fertiliser production. Inspired by the idea that “earthworm farming can save the world,” they began collecting organic waste from homes and villages to feed earthworms. This process improved soil fertility and created a natural fertiliser. By using local waste, they generate sustainable income and create job opportunities for uneducated individuals in their area. The company aims to produce around 100 tons of vermicompost annually and sell one ton of red worms particularly used for vermicomposting each year, with plans to increase production based on local market demand.