With the arrival of the monsoon, demand for wooden boats has increased at the traditional Atghar Haat on the border of Jhalakathi. The century-old market has become a gathering place for traders, buyers and visitors from different parts of the country.
During a visit on Friday morning, August 7, rows of boats were seen displayed across the market. Craftsmen and traders from various areas were selling boats both wholesale and retail. The boats ranged from small dinghies to large vessels used for transporting goods.
Traders said boat prices are determined by the quality of the wood, design and size. Boats of ordinary quality are comparatively cheaper, while those made from high-quality wood cost more. Prices range from Tk 1,500 to Tk 15,000 per boat. A fee ranging from Tk 70 to Tk 500 is charged for each boat sold.
Local farmers said the boats play an important role in transporting guava, vegetables and other agricultural products. As vast areas remain submerged during the monsoon, boats become the main means of communication and transportation for farmers.
A buyer from Bakerganj in Barisal said, “During the monsoon, it is not possible to take cattle to the fields. Grass has to be cut from the land and brought home by boat. Boats are needed for agricultural work for about six months of the year.”
Md. Iqbal Hawladar, leaseholder of Atghar Haat, said between 3,000 and 4,000 boats are bought and sold at the market during the monsoon season. The government earns several lakhs of taka in revenue from the boat market every year.
Boat traders Mohammad Alauddin, Md. Kabir, Abdur Rahim, Md. Qayyum, Md. Malek and Md. Shahabuddin said they had been involved in the profession for generations. With the help of family members, they can make boats at a low cost and sell them to buyers at comparatively affordable prices.
They said the main season for their business begins with the arrival of the monsoon. During this period, entire families remain busy making boats together.
According to local residents, the century-old Atghar Haat is not merely a trading centre. It is an integral part of the culture, heritage and lifestyle of the region. Despite the spread of modern technology, the appeal of wooden boats among rural people has not diminished. Instead, Atghar Haat regains its familiar vitality with the arrival of every monsoon.
FP/R
