Cultural & Practical Uses
Traditional users of Allo are ethnic groups from across Nepal, including the Gurung, Magar, Rai and Tamang people11. Allo products are culturally important to both the Gurung11 and the Rai2. This is not thought to impact its selling for commercial and non-religious purposes7. Non-fibre uses of the plant range from fodder and fuel wood2, to use as a live fence and in traditional medicines11. Allo fibre is very flexible and has high tenacity1, allowing it to be used in a multitude of applications ranging from clothing and bags, to floor mats and rope. 15 11 6 Fibres made from allo are also fully biodegradable1.
Environmental Issues
Allo is soaked before peeling, cooked to soften and bleached with wood ash, something not shown to be in short supply2. Without proper environmental management there is a threat to allo survival15. Availability of allo fibres has declined in recent years, thought partially due to population increase and destruction for human use, as well as unsustainable harvesting practices, raising the question of whether Allo should be planted to meet increasing demand2.
Present yields of allo fibre can potentially increase by 3 to 4 times13. Current harvesting has had adverse effects on potential yields, where cutting stems too high and in a haphazard fashion significantly lowers the capability of the plant to grow new shoots15. A study using improved harvesting methods, where the stalk was cleanly cut near the base, showed a 12.7% increase in total fibre yield15. A simple adaptation has the potential to both increase income from greater fibre yields, and ensure the future stock of allo continues to grow sustainably. However, over-exploitation of the resources is a large environmental concern13.