Trashiyangtse Dzongkhag is popular for woodcraft or Shag Zo. Of all, Dapa or traditional wooden bowl, is the most popular wood product, widely produced and sold all over the country.
Tashi, 39, from Bumdeling Gewog has learned the art from his uncle when he was just 15 years old. At the age of 20, he could make all the 25 different wood products. Today he is proud and doing a good business. “If I invest Nu. 50,000 I can get Nu. 100,000 as profit. That does not include the work I do,” he said, adding confidently that if he invested Nu. 100,000 then he could surely get Nu. 200,000 as a profit.
What was once a tradition, has now become a booming business. Today, there are more than 30 Shag Zops in Trashiyangtse. But, this is coming at a cost. The increasing number has led to decreasing raw materials availability in the locality. According to the District Forestry Officer, Phuntsho Tobgay, many Shag Zops now hunt for raw materials in other districts.
“Craftsmen have started asking permit for raw materials from other Dzongkhags like Wangduephodrang and Chhukha now. There are very few people who ask for permit from Trashiyangtse. Therefore, it is evident that timber available for Dapa production in the locality is now almost exhausted,” said Phuntsho Tobgay.
He said they have already started exploring even farthest Dzongkhag like Haa.
In the meantime, like most other craftsmen, Tashi also feels it will be more convenient for them, if the forestry office could provide them permits to gather raw materials from other Dzongkhags.
“If we are to bring raw materials from other districts, we have to get the permit from that district forest office. The permits arrive very late,” he said.
Tashi added that sometimes it takes months and by then monsoon season arrives. “This causes lots of problems to us and our business,” he said.
