July 27: A few days ago, Speaker of the House of Representatives Agni Prasad Sapkota had expressed concerns regarding the import of ash when Nepal itself has abundant forests to prepare ash. However, the ash that Nepal imports is not made from burning wood.

According to the Department of Customs, Nepal imports four different kinds of ashes and none of them are prepared from burning wood. The department informed that the country imported ashes worth Rs 2.37 billion during the last fiscal year.

The imported ashes  include residual copper, residue of other elements, and ashes prepared from urban waste and sea weeds. The ashes are mainly used as industrial raw materials. They are used to prepare copper utensils and other metal artefacts as well as cement.

Nepal is currently able to produce only the ash prepared from urban waste with HS Code 26211000.