Tihar Flora Expo boosts local flower industry

With Tihar season approaching, Bhrikutimandap in Kathmandu offers a chance to shop for flowers at the Tihar Flora Expo, which runs until Tuesday. The expo, which started on Sept 25 under the theme “Festival of Tihar, Festival of Flowers,” features 65 stalls from flower and nursery businesses and includes consultation booths.

At the expo’s inauguration on Friday, Bagmati Province Minister for Forests and Environment, Krishna Prasad Silwal, highlighted the recent damage to nursery businesses due to October’s continuous rainfall and assured that relief assistance would be provided. He also committed to including provisions in future policies to allocate barren community forest land for nurseries, with budgetary support to promote the flower industry.

Minister Silwal emphasized the importance of producing indigenous varieties like rhododendron and wild orchids for the global market, which he believes could create employment for youth in Nepal. He advocated for a ban on plastic flowers in favor of natural ones.

Director General of the Department of Botany, Sanjeev Kumar Rai, pointed out that imported plastic flowers have disrupted the domestic market. He stressed the need to promote local flowers, including marigolds, velvet flowers, and Godavari blooms. Last year’s marigold imports inspired the department’s Natural Research Laboratory to produce food supplements and beauty products, which led to the registration of three new industries.

Mohan Katwal, Vice-president of the Federation of Nepal Cottage and Small Industries (FNCSI), expressed concerns over the lack of government support for small and cottage industries, which make up more than 80 percent of Nepal’s industries. Naresh Lal Shrestha, FNCCI executive committee member and Chair of the Export Promotion Committee, added that arranging concessional loans in agriculture, energy, and tourism could support domestic employment.

Ramji Prasad Timilsina, President of the Nursery Association of Nepal, described the fair as a platform to discourage foreign flower imports and promote domestic flowers, nurseries, and herbs.

On the expo’s first day, coordinator and Nursery Association Vice-president, Laxmi Maharjan, shared their expectation for transactions to exceed Rs 7m over the five-day event. Entry fees are Rs 100 for the public and Rs 50 for students and seniors. The opening day drew crowds of flower enthusiasts and visitors.

To foster competition and improve skills among entrepreneurs, the fair honored the best in seven categories with certificates, cash prizes, and shields.