A village of boat makers in Sunamganj

SYLHET, Aug 13: The boat makers of remote Chamordani village in Madhyanagar upazila did not suspend their job even during three phases of flood this year.

Rather they, along with their aides had more business during the calamities as they have separate makeshift tin-shed structures to make boats, locally called 'Along'.

There are about 20 alongs at Chamordani village. On average, three to 10 people work at an 'Along' when the large ones can make two boats a day.

They are busy making new boats as its demand is high when people bring old ones for repairs often. During the monsoon, boats are the only means of local communication, especially in the country's haor region.

Especially the inhabitants of the vast areas have no alternative since the habitats remain under water for almost six months together.

This is why 20 alongs at the village start making country boats since the very onslaught of Bengali month of Jyeshtha every year.

Due to the repeated flooding this year, the demand for boats is a high somewhat. Each of the alongs is busy making boats now.

In some families, male people join hands with others to make boats while some assistants also work as daylong worker.

Owner of an Along said two can make a 18-20-foot boat in 3 days at a cost of Tk 7,000 when it can be sold for Tk 12,000.

Often people from areas come to Chamardani village to buy boats in place of going to markets, said a villager.

It's better since we can bargain and make best choice here. Besides, 15 per cent of tax is payable on the markets but no tax is required for buying boats here, he added.

People from Dharmapasha, Tahirpur upazila of Sunamganj and Kalmakanda and Barhatta of Netrakona district come here to buy boats. The boat makers of Chamardani make a trade of Tk 02-03 crore every year.

However, boat makers said due to a rise in the price of labour and wood, the market is a little troubled, while capital is also a problem.

That's why, boat makers have to go to moneylenders for money at high rates of interest.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Madhyanagar Atish Darshi Chakma said they would extend all-out assistance for boat makers.

However, he said the banks can easily provide small loans to such boat makers as they contribute to the local economy.

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