Bamboo artisans have sought support so that the eco-friendly industry can survive and flourish further in the country.
Sustaining an eco-friendly bamboo industry is the need of the hour as with the evolution of time, the household has been covered with various products, including plastic which is very harmful for the environment.
Villagers are generally involved in the bamboo industry and most of the products are used by them. Bamboo is used to make houses, lofts, ladders, mats, baskets, traps and many other handicrafts. From the ancient time, the bamboo handicrafts of this country have gained fame in the country and abroad.
This bamboo of daily use became the main material of folk culture and handicrafts over time. This art made of bamboo symbolises the lifestyle and sentiments of the indigenous people as well as the larger population of the country. Some of its techniques have remained intact for thousands of years. Bamboo is also used in bamboo mats, bamboo baskets and ornate wall decorations.
Nowadays, bamboo furniture, ashtrays, vases, cosmetic boxes, picture frames, mirror frames, pens etc. can be seen in urban life. The baskets for picking tea leaves in the tea gardens, the betel baskets of the Khasias and the household utensils made of bamboo used in the daily activities of various tribes are very interesting. These pots or baskets are woven into various designs.
The tradition of bamboo groves and cane forests beside the house is the traditional form of rural Bengal. Where there are villages, there are bamboo groves - that was normal. But even outside the forest area, the way rural trees are being destroyed, many such plants are disappearing. Traditional bamboo and cane crafts are disappearing from public life. Once upon a time thousands of products were made in the rural villages of Bengal. The housewives used to cut fresh bamboo from the bushes near the house and make various things. Many made a living from it. These were the only source of income for many poor families. But in how many villages of the country today, handicrafts survive as an earning profession, it is a matter of thought. Many people involved in this industry are leaving the profession of their grandfathers and engaging in other professions.
Most of the families at several villages under Dubail Union of Delduar Upazila in Tangail district are still depending on this industry for their livelihood. By clinging to this industry, many people have become self-reliant today. The work of bamboo industry is going on in several villages of Borni, Baropakhia, Prayagjani, Paraikhali and Kopakhi of the upazila. The artisans involved in this industry are working relentlessly by holding on to the profession of their forefathers. They are making interesting products from bamboo. Due to the wide popularity and good demand of these bamboo made products in the market, they are currently being exported abroad.
As a result, many people are now achieving prosperity due to the benefits of bamboo industry. People's tastes and needs are changing with time. However, it does not stop at making mathails or joails made of bamboo. The cottage artists of this region are making various types of attractive lamps, fruit baskets, vases, trays, baskets, chaluns, bowls and other daily necessities of various designs with bamboo according to the needs of the era. These beautiful products made of bamboo are attracting the attention of many people.
Borni is a village well-known for producing a variety of bamboo crafts in Delduar Upazila. The majority of Borni village residents are engaged in various forms of bamboo craftsmanship, rendering bamboo products readily accessible. For this reason, four bamboo industrial products factories named Imran Bamboo Handcrafts, Ma Baba Handcrafts, Nurunnabi Bamboo Craft and Zakir Ahmed Cottage Industries have been built around Barni village. The work of making and marketing bamboo industrial products is going on there every day. Each factory has its own artisans working to improve the quality of products. They make all the nice products with the guidance of the artisans involved in this industry. These products are sold in various districts, including Aarong.
Besides, they said bamboo products are being exported abroad through various business organisations. The interesting products of the bamboo industry of the region are being sold in the online shop as well. There is a huge market demand for the bamboo products of this region as they are made attractively with the touch of the hands of the artists. However, due to the lack of skilled workers, the factory owners have to struggle to meet the market demand.
Md Harun Mia, a craftsman of Nurunnabi Bamboo Craft Factory in Borni village, said he has been involved in the bamboo industry for about 25 years. Even now, his family lives by working in the bamboo industry. He also said the market demand for their products is good.
Monira Begum, a craftsman of the same factory, said she has been working for about three years. She is running the family by working in that factory.
Md Nurunnabi, the owner of Nurunnabi Bamboo Craft Factory, said there is a good market demand for bamboo products in the region. But due to the lack of skilled workers, many times it is difficult to supply the market demand. To keep this industry dynamic, the government needs to provide advanced training system for artisans and import various modern machinery from abroad. Then the development of this industry would be accelerated and more employment would be created in the area. The number of unemployed men and women in the upazila was decreasing day by day.
Md. Shah Alam, the owner of Maa Baba Handcraft Factory and a craftsman, said since his childhood, he has been working on the design and quality improvement of the products made in the bamboo industry. And the artisans work to make the products.
Through this industry, rural traditions are maintained and employment is created for poor people of rural areas. The economic status of people with no income has changed as it happened in Delduar upazila. Government and private sponsorship are needed to sustain this industry, experts said.
The present government is giving importance to the cottage industry. This industry will further develop if the government supports it. At present, many employments have been created at Borni village in the upazila due to the benefits of the bamboo industry. As a result, the number of unemployed men and women in the village has also decreased. Besides, the work of this industry is increasing day by day in the neighbouring villages.
