BOGURA, Jun 10: Craftsmen of bamboo-made fishing gear (locally known Chai) are making a handsome profit this season due to high demand.
A good number of craftsmen said demand for the item increases with the beginning of rainy season every year.
More than four hundred families of Dupchanchia, Kahaloo, Adamdighi, Sherpur, Dhunot and Gabtoly upazilas are engaged in making 'Chai'.
The gear is usually supplied to different markets across the country during rainy season.
The traditional method of catching fish with bamboo made gear is still popular among the locals.
Local craftsmen produce three sizes gear - five feet, three feet and two feet in length and one foot in width.
Amulla of Kahaloo upazila said each gear posses five to 10 openings to allow fishes to enter and one pocket for collecting fishes.
In a recent visit this correspondent found a big gear is sold at Tk 450 to Tk 500 and a middle one at Tk 200 to Tk 250.
A small size gear is being sold at Tk 50 to Tk 100 in the markets.
"I have been making the gear since my childhood and its making is our seasonal earning way," said Arup Kumar of Gabtoly upazila.
He said each family usually earns around Tk 45,000 from Chai making every monsoon.
The artisan can make at least five gear with a big bamboo.
Moreover each family can produce 35 to 40 traps every week.
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