Artificial shape, colour damage Rudraksha market

Sankhuwasawa, Aug 21

The issue of artificial shape of Rudraksha has again surfaced in Sankhuwasabha and Bhojpur district.

Producers in these two eastern districts, known as the capital of Rudraksha, are changing the shape of the precious bead by using plastic clip and chemicals. They had done it so last year as well.

This year, Rudraksha farmers and traders in Panchkhapan, Kharang and Lohakot have also used various medicines and pesticides to create the desired shape and clolour.

But, such shape and colour does not stay for long. One trader said in terms of anonymity that farmers in Lohakot used medicines in Rudraksha worth Rs. 1.5 million. He said that the colour and shape of Rudraksha from Lohakot started to discoulour and shrunk, and he couldn’t sell it in the market.

As the district association of Rudraksha entrepreneurs had banned the use of such chemicals, and announced to punish the users of harmful pesticides, traders are using it secretly.

Local farmers and traders are worried that the plastic clip and chemical was destroying the market of locally produced Rudraksha and they were facing difficulties in finding the market.

According to the locals, about eight years ago Chinese traders had come to the districts to conduct the trade of smooth, Madane, Thepche and Kanthe Rudraksha.

Since, they couldn’t get the Rudraksha as per their desired size and shape, they applied artificial measures to change them in the tree before harvesting.

They have been doing so for the last few years in entire Rudraksha gardens in the two districts. But, they are finding it difficult to sell the product as it lacked the natural smoothness.

Chakra Bahadur Bisnukne, President of Rudraksha Entrepreneurs Association of Sankhuwasabha, said that the artificially shaped Rudraksha had tarnished the image of the country in the international markets. He also maintained that the Indian and Chinese traders themselves were facing the problems in the market.

He also pointed towards the risk of decreasing the quality of the Rudraksha tree due to the excessive use of chemicals which would have negative impact on the income of the farmers in the long run.