With char areas in Tangail inundated due to the rising waters of the Jamuna river, the demand for boats has peaked.
Boat makers of Bhuapur upazila are busy making new boats, the most convenient mode of transport in the rainy season, for people living in char areas.
Many boatmen of the upazila are also getting their old boats repaired so they can withstand the wear and tear for at least this season.
The wood for a boat is gathered from local trees like shimul, mahogany, koroi, or kodom. And the price of a boat depends on its size, type and quality, said boat makers in the area.
They also explained that various factors including design, size, workmanship, protective coat, cost of labour, and the quality of materials used, contribute to the price of a boat.
Wood trader Aynal from Gabsara of Bhuapur upazila said: "In the dry season, no one comes to buy wood from us which contributes to a decline in our business. And the boat makers also have a hard time as they remain jobless. But in the rainy season, the demand for boats peaks as people living in char areas use boats as their means of transport ."
"A small sized boat sells for Tk 3,000 to Tk5000. We can have many boats in Gobindabashi market two days a week, Sunday and Thursday," he added.
This correspondent recently visited Gobindabashi, Gabsara, Arjuna, and Nikrail unions of Bhuapur upazila. There, boat makers are busy making and painting small and large sized boats.
Boat maker Joynal Hossain said they wait and look forward to the rainy season as the demand for boats increases during the season.
"I can make two to three boats in a day, and get around Tk700 to 800 as daily wages for each boat," he added.
Fisherman Abdul Alim from Gabsara said: "We are buying boats from local markets as the water level in the Jamuna River has increased and many char areas are going under water."
"Those who have old boats are also getting them repaired as they need to go fishing to earn a livelihood," he added.
