Post News Network
Chitrada, June 7: Soaring price of bamboo and lack of government support has taken a toll on traditional bamboo ware makers in Mayurbhanj district.
Over 150 families in Bramhanamara village under Morada block of this district have been engaged in making bamboo wares for over several generations.
Making bamboo wares has been a cottage industry mainly for people of four communities – Kalindi, Mahali, Anchida and Karua – in villages like Nakichua, Dalki, Gobarashola, Betanati Indira Nagar, Parikhunta of Jalanisahi Mouza, Jyotipur, Dudhiashola and Ahira. Most of these people eke out their living by selling bamboo wares in nearby markets.
However, decrease in demand of bamboo wares has forced many of them to leave their traditional profession. “Demand for bamboo wares is plummeting and impacting our livelihood,” rued Bhaskar Kalindi,a bamboo ware maker. Gopinath Kalindi and Suphala Kalindi reiterated the same.
Moreover, demands for plastic, steel and aluminum wares have slowly rendered bamboo-wares like winnowers, baskets, flower baskets, fish baskets and head covers redundant, affecting the livelihood of scores of people.
Shortage of bamboo and its high price have also put the villagers in trouble. “Bamboo would have been available aplenty, had the forest department not imposed restrictions on cutting bamboo in forests,” Bhaskar said, adding he has to pay not less than Rs 80 to Rs 100 for a bamboo.
“We have to invest at least two days for making three items from a piece of bamboo. And the maximum price we get for an item is about Rs 50,” another bamboo ware maker Santosh Kalindi said.
“Profit margins are very low in comparison to the amount of hard work and high price of bamboo in this profession,” he added.
Many bamboo ware makers like Budhia Kalindi and Sitanath Kalindi attributed the shortage of raw material in their locality to the supply of bamboo to other states.
The ware makers said the bamboo artisans need to be provided training for new designs and making decorative items.
Several residents of Brahmanmara said the government should ensure supply of bamboo to them at a reasonable rate to help this traditional cottage industry survive the present crisis.