Woodcarving in Khokana is struggling for survival

The tradition is fading as demand shrinks and artisans struggle to sustain their craft.

In the Newa settlement of Khokana, the sound of chisels against wood echoes through narrow alleys lined with centuries-old architecture. For generations, woodcarving has been an intrinsic part of the town’s identity; a craft passed down like an heirloom. Yet today, as rapid urbanisation, changing market demands, and the indifference of new generations threaten its continuity, Khokana’s woodcarving artisans find themselves at a crossroads.