Munshiganj, 24 September 2023, (Amar Bikrampur)
The value of boats has increased in the centuries-old bazaar in Munshiganj's Sreenagar centering on the monsoon season. These boats have been used for years for fishing and low-lying navigation. At least 50 artisans are making a living by selling boats at this weekly bazaar in Shivrampur.
In the surrounding upazilas, artisans and traders brought boats to the market. 150 to 200 boats are sold in a week. This boat market is open throughout the year, but its value increases during the monsoons.
Those involved in this profession said that the illegal filling of the surrounding reservoirs, especially in several parts of Arial Bill, has affected this market. This has resulted in a decline in sales over the past few years.
Talking to the boat makers, it is known that the Kosa boat market has been sitting on the banks of the Ichamati River in Shivrampur of Baraikhali Union of the upazila for hundreds of years. Every Saturday of the week, boat sellers set up a stall of Kosa boats of various sizes. This ancient market is bustling with buyers and sellers.
Nimai Sarkar from Dohar upazila has been involved in boat selling business for 30 years.Talking about the bazaar, he said that buyers and sellers from Sirajdikhan and Lauhjong upazilas come to this bazaar every week.
In the districts around Dhaka, there is a huge demand for boats during the monsoon season. Besides, this boat is used for fishing and shapla during the monsoon season based on the local arial bill.
Jewel Sarkar worked as a peddler at the boat market. He buys boats at wholesale rates from craftsmen and sells them at retail level. This bazaar said that he brought 40-50 boats to each bazaar. Of these, 30-35 are sold. The boats are sold at the price of Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000 depending on the type.
Chan Kumar Mondal, craftsman, said that this year, the sale of boats has decreased due to the low water level during the monsoon season. Even so every week 150-200 boats are sold from Shivrampur haat.
Mostafizur Rahman, the manager of Shivrampur boat market, said that Kosa boats were the only hope of people's movement during the rainy season in the life centered around the Ichamati River and Aryal Bill. At least half a hundred local families make a living by making and selling boats for three/four months a year as there is no agricultural work in the land during the monsoon season.
However, Ichamati River is not as abundant as before. Jaulush has lost Ariyal Bill. Due to the filling up of the surrounding water bodies, the demand for boats has decreased. Because of this, boat builders are not good. Now they are not seeing any profit by selling the boat. Many people come to market with boats to keep the tradition of their ancestors.
Converted from Bengali to English: Kaium Bepari
XI First Year Students
Dighirpar, Tongbari, Munshiganj
