We anchored our trawler at Boldia village on our way to Boithakata -- the largest floating market in this part of the world. Our guide, Amanaullah led us to what was to be one of the greatest surprises of our trip. As we trekked through different villages of Boldia, we were awed to find workers cutting, chopping, sledging, and chiseling pieces of wood into cricket bats.
The endeavour as well as skill of the carpenters made us proud as they produced international standard cricket bats, stumps, and sports accessories such as carrom board.
High-standard bat manufacturing factories can be found at several villages including the Uribuniya, Binna, Khejurbari, Jilbari, Katakhali, Chaltabari, Rajbari, Dubi, and Boldia villages in Nesarabad upazila.
The region is now commonly known as “cricket bat village” and just as the name suggests, cricket bats have been made in the local factories for a long time now. One of the largest timber markets in Asia is located in Swarupkathi. The abundance of trees and the availability of timber, close proximity to the Sundarbans, and the low cost of labour have led to the proliferation of bat factories in the upazila.
I was informed by the chairman of Boldia union, Abu Sayeed, that there are about 200 factories in the upazila fulfilling 70% of the country’s requirements. About 1500-2000 workers remain engaged manufacturing one of the most popular sports items.
The region is now commonly known as ‘cricket bat village’ and just as the name suggests, cricket bats have been made in the local factories for a long time now
The production of cricket bats has created working opportunities for thousands of people, both male and female, in the upazila. The males work as carpenters while the women contribute by painting and adding stickers to the sport items.
I was further informed by Sayeed that about 2500-3000 cricket bats are manufactured monthly. The daily wage of the workers vary from Tk700- 1000. These bats are then sent to different parts of the country for sale. Depending on the size of the bats, the price varies. The smallest bat is sold for Tk30-35 and the biggest bat in size is sold for Tk150-350 depending on the quality. By the time the bats reach the big markets in the districts, the price increases manifold.
Mostly kadam, amra (hog plum) and chambal trees are used for the purpose. At first, the producers used gewa wood, which is found in the Sundarbans to manufacture the bats but as the government banned the cutting of gewa trees in the mangrove forest, the manufacturers switched to the other varieties, which are relatively low in quality.
The bats made in Nesarabad are in high demand across the country as it is of good quality and affordable price while the wholesalers from almost every corner of the country come and buy bats from here.
Much to our surprise, we found dozens of cricket bats labelled “Made in Pakistan.” The workers could not give us a satisfactory explanation. All they said was that they manufacture according to the orders. We could smell the marketing strategy of the buyers. We all had a great laugh.
Dr Shamim Ahmed is a senior public health and nutrition specialist, a passionate traveller, and a photographer.
