The centuries-old tradition of bamboo craft in the northern district Dinajpur is fast fading, as modern lifestyles, high prices and declining demand drive artisans away from their ancestral trade.
A visit to the traditional Setabganj market in Bochaganj upazila found artisans grappling with shrinking demand, soaring bamboo prices and limited market access, leaving many unable to recover even their production costs.
As earnings continue to decline, a growing number of craftsmen are abandoning their ancestral profession for day labour, farming and battery-powered three-wheeler driving.
"We once made a decent living from bamboo work. Now it is no longer enough to support a family, and our children have no interest in continuing the trade," said veteran artisan Biplab Pal, who has been engaged in the craft for nearly 40 years.
Long-time craftsmen Mahesh Chandra Roy and Anil Pal shared similar concerns, saying they continue the profession largely to preserve a family tradition despite earning only nominal profits.
Another artisan, Nikhil Sarkar, said financial hardship forced him to steer his eldest son into another occupation.
Yet amid the industry's decline, a handful of craftsmen are finding new opportunities through innovation.
Artisan Shafiqul Islam has introduced colourful finishes and contemporary designs to traditional bamboo products, helping attract younger buyers and improve sales.
"Customers now prefer modern-looking products. By redesigning traditional bamboo items, I've been able to increase both demand and profits," he said.
Young entrepreneur Arif Hossain said bamboo craftsmanship represents an important part of Bangladesh's cultural heritage and should be preserved through better planning, modern product development and stronger government support.
Artisans and local stakeholders recommend design and skills training, easy-access loans for small producers and expanded commercial bamboo cultivation to ensure a stable supply of raw materials.
Deputy General Manager of the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) in Dinajpur, Md Jahedul Islam, said modernization is key to reviving the sector.
He said BSCIC provides three-month training programmes to enhance artisans' skills, along with loan facilities and regular monitoring to help make bamboo-based enterprises commercially sustainable.
Without effective policy support and sustained institutional backing, artisans fear Dinajpur's once-thriving bamboo craft industry could soon become little more than a fading memory.
