Home ›› 07 Nov 2022 ›› Nation
The declining demand for bamboo and cane-made products in the market due to the advent of similar products made from plastic has posed an existential threat to the indigenous Mahali community of Dinajpur.
The people of the Mahali community, based in Hakimpur upazila in the district, are involved in producing bamboo and cane-made household products for generations.
But, their financial situation has deteriorated in the past few decades as the demand for handmade products declined in the market due to the increasing availability of comparatively cheaper plastic products.
The people of this community make household items like baskets, containers, mats, fish traps and various other objects. In addition to small-scale agricultural work, people of all ages from the community are involved in making bamboo and cane-made products.
Once upon a time, wholesalers from all over the country used to come to Hakimpur to buy their products. In addition, they used to sell their products in the local weekly markets of Mongla, Katla, Birampur bazars of Hili.
But those days are no more. About 50 families of the Mahali community, living in Ghasuria and Jalalpur villages in Khattamadobpara union of Hakimpur, are now passing their days in financial misery.
Talking to The Business Post about their financial situation, Daniel Tudu of Ghasuriya village expressed his anger over the government’s negligence towards them.
“We do not get any loan or other help from either the government or any non-governmental organisations. Sometimes people from NGOs and other organisations come and take our photos but they never provide any assistance,” he said.
He further said that they have been producing bamboo and cane-made products for generations. Although some are involved in agriculture, making household items from bamboo is their main occupation.
According to Basanti Murmu of the same village, 35 Mahali families live in her village. “Quitting bamboo product making, many have become day labourers as the prices of daily commodities including bamboo have increased. I also work as a labourer and make bamboo products in my spare time,” she said.
Observing that the demand for bamboo and cane products has declined significantly in the market, Basanti said, “Similar products made from plastic are available in the market for a cheaper price. So, it has become difficult to maintain our traditional profession passed down from generation to generation in the Mahali community.”
“If the government provided us with low-interest loans, we could sustain our profession,” she added in frustration.
Baniel Mardi of the same village said, “Many people have visited our village at different times and taken photocopies of our national ID cards promising loans, but we have never received any sort of financial help.”
“I once submitted an application to the upazila social service office for a loan but they do not give any proper reply when I inquire about it,” he said.
Contacted, Mainur Islam, Department of Social Services, Hakimpur upazila officer, said that he did not receive any loan application from the Mahali community after joining the office.
“If they apply properly our office will look into the matter. If they are eligible for loans it will be given to them,” he added.
