The Herbs Production and Processing Company Ltd. (HPPCL), Nepal’s pioneering enterprise in harvesting medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) and producing essential oils and medicinal extracts for the pharmaceutical, food, beauty, and wellness industries, was on the verge of launching its exports. However, its ambitions were shattered last Friday when violent pro-monarchy protests erupted into arson and vandalism, setting ablaze the company’s facility in Jadibuti.  

The riots, which began as demonstrations in Tinkune, spiraled out of control, resulting in the deaths of two people, including a television journalist, and leaving dozens injured. Protesters accused the police of using excessive force to disperse them. As chaos unfolded, rioters torched public and private properties in Tinkune and surrounding areas, including media offices and vehicles.  

File photos show workers actively engaged in packaging at HPPCL's facility in Jadibuti.

HPPCL’s factory, located in Jadibuti along the Kathmandu-Bhaktapur road, was among the worst-hit. Allegedly, a retreating mob, after the authorities imposed a curfew in the area, set fire to the company’s buildings.

Read: Bhatbhateni Suffers Rs 8 Million Loss in Friday’s Vandalism and Looting

Ironically, the area, named Jadibuti (meaning “herbs” in Nepali), derives its name from the company itself.  

When New Business Age photojournalist Sunil Sharma visited the site on Monday, smoke still rose from the charred remains of herbal products destroyed in the fire.  

Read: Deaths, Arson, Vandalism and Looting

Speaking to New Business Age on Tuesday, Sangita Yadav, General Manager of HPPCL, revealed that the company had recently installed new machinery and set up infrastructure to scale up production. Their goal was to manufacture 10 million units of Sancho annually, up from the current target of 6 million units.

Sancho, a blend of essential oils such as mentha, eucalyptus, tejpat, timur, wintergreen, and lemongrass, is widely used in Nepal’s households to relieve colds, coughs, rheumatism, headaches, muscular aches, and fatigue. 

The company produces it in 10ml and 5ml bottles, priced at Rs 85 and Rs 50, respectively.  

Apart from Sancho, the company had separate production targets for other products, including Sancho Jata Hair Oil, Sancho Pain Relief Oil, Sancho Balm, and Shilajeet.  

HPPCL has now formed a committee to assess the full extent of the damage. She added that the initial estimated damage to the buildings alone is worth around Rs 300 million, while the losses of machinery, equipment, raw materials, and finished products are still being assessed. 

“Both of our buildings, including the administrative block, have suffered an extensive damage,” Yadav said. “Since Saturday, we have been operating from a single room.” 

The damage goes beyond infrastructure. The company directly employs over 400 laborers and works with 800 farmers who supply raw materials. “People may see our company as just two buildings in Jadibuti, but our operations extend across multiple branches that cultivate and supply medicinal plants,” Yadav explained.  

According to its website, HPPCL owns around 500 hectares of land in Tarahara, Belbari, Tamagadhi, Mahendranagar, and Tikapur for MAP cultivation.  

Adding to the destruction, several company-owned vehicles as well as those parked in its premises were also set ablaze.  

In light of the destruction, Yadav has called on the government to step in and support the company’s reconstruction efforts.  

HPPCL, established in 1981 under the supervision of the Nepalese government, has played a crucial role in Nepal’s herbal industry.

“Industries like ours contribute significantly to the economy. The concerned authorities should help us rebuild during this difficult time,” she said. “If the government takes swift action, it will provide much-needed relief.”  

The violent protests on Friday also led to large-scale vandalism and looting at Bhatbhateni Supermarket in Koteshwor, causing an estimated Rs 8.03 million in damage.  

Videos circulating on social media show mobs pelting stones at the supermarket, damaging its structure and nearby vehicles before forcibly breaking in and looting goods. 

In response to the violence, authorities have arrested dozens of pro-monarchy demonstrators, including key leaders accused of inciting unrest. Among those detained are Rabindra Mishra, Senior Vice-Chairman of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), and General Secretary Dhawal Shumsher Rana. 

Officials have urged the public to share videos and photos to help identify additional perpetrators.