Khulna Correspondent :
Goalpata collection has started in Sundarbans. The Forest Division has taken strict security measures, sources said.
It will be continued till March 30 , 2022 , said Forest Division Sources.
Sources said, Bawalis (Goalpata collectors) are collecting goalpata from two zones of the west division of the Sundarbans without any obstacles. The first trip collection was already brought to the locality. But the forest division authorities have taken this year much more hard rules than that of the previous years, said some Bawalis.
It is learnt that Bawalis are losing their eagerness to collect goalpata due to shrinking and decreasing demand of collecting forest things. The forest division was strict this year during the full season of collecting goalpata. At first the authorities were unyielding in respect of giving permission for collecting goalpata from the Sundarbans. Of course, permission was given later on after passing one month of the season. With a view to relax the pressure from the forest, the authorities decided so, as they claimed.
Nirmal Kumer Mondol , Zonal officer of Goalpata collecting zone of the west range of the Sundarbans said, Bawalis have started collecting goalpata from one zone in Khulna range of the west zone this year. Permission of 118 BLCs were given for collecting mounds of goalpata from Khulna Zone (Range). BLCs were given to the Bawalis for collecting 58,660 mounds of goalpata.
AZM Hasanur Rahman , assistant conservator (ACF) of Forest of Khulna Range said, the forest division has taken necessary security measures so that the Bawalis may not fall in danger.
Eagerness of the traders is less than that of the last year and as such the target may not be fulfilled, it is apprehended.
Md. Abdul Gafur Sana, a Bawali of 1no. Koyra village in Koyra upazila of Khulna district said, he has been collecting goalpata for around 20 years, but he never seen so strictness of the forest division as like as this year.
I have no eagerness like previous times in respect of collecting goalpata due to decreasing uses of goalpata, pirates attacks, filling canals inside the forest and moreover no valid and invalid opportunities in the forest like previous periods, he added.
Md. Kabir Hossain , another Bawali Koyra upazila area said, demands of goalpata are not available now like previous periods, due to less sale, some retail traders kept stock.
Some other Bawalis said, goalpata trading is not now so profitable according to the investments.
Goalpata trader Md. Solaiman said, demand of Goalpata has been decreasing day due to less sale.
Md. Jahirul Islam , associate zonal officer of Khulna range said, monitoring is going on so that the Bawalis can collect goalpata smoothly. Target may not be fulfilled this year due to some inconveniences, he apprehended.
