Lokta paper grows at high altitudes in Nepal, in the Himalayan mountains, and is therefore also known as Himalayan paper. It is made from the bark of the lokta plant (Daphne papyracea). Because the bark of this shrub grows back repeatedly, no new plants need to be planted and the fragile Himalayan region remains untouched.
The paper is known for its exceptional strength, is naturally resistant to mould and insects, and has a very long lifespan. As a result, lokta paper is still used today for official government documents and Buddhist manuscripts. After harvesting, the outer bark is removed and boiled to soften it, then beaten into pulp and spread by hand on a mould to form distinctive sheets of paper.
