Droughts hamper boat business

The lack of rain amid recurring heatwaves is hampering the wooden boat business in parts of Bangladesh as many inland waterbodies, such as canals and marshlands, have all but dried up.

The crisis is particularly acute at Atghor Kuriana, a market that opens twice weekly on Friday and Monday, in Nesarabad upazila of Pirojpur.

"We use boats to fish in marshlands but the water level is too low this year," said Abdul Hai, a local who went to the market to buy a boat.

Other than people in Nesarabad upazila, many residents of Banaripara upazila in Barishal and Jhalakathi sadar upazila come to the market for buying boats.

Besides fishing, the vessels are used for collecting cattle fodder, such as water hyacinth, moving from one place to another, and collecting guava and hog plums from orchards.

A boat purchased from the market can last up to three years depending on the quality of wood used. Boat builders typically use mahogany, raintree and teak among other varieties.

"We use boats to fish in marshlands but the water level is too low this year," said Abdul Hai, a local who went to the market to buy a boat.

Each boat sells for between Tk 2,500 and Tk 6,000 depending on its make. Also, paddles, rudders and other components are sold for Tk 150 to Tk 300.

Additionally, second-hand boats are available for prices lower than Tk 2,000 per unit.

Local traders believe sales would improve if water levels start rising.

However, the business may recover without the need for continuous rainfall as the guava harvesting season will begin within the next few weeks, according to trader Kamrul Hasan.

This is because boats are the only means of harvesting guava and carrying them to the nearby floating markets for sale, he said.

Abdur Rahim, the lessee of Atghor Kuriana, said they currently sell around 100 boats each week compared to 300 units previously.

"We expect the situation to change within a month," he added.