A type of vine that grows in the forest and bushes of hilly and Barind areas is called Loi in the local language in Chalanbeel area. Many people in the area use this vines to tie bamboo poles to make different sorts of fishing nets.
During the monsoon season, the demand for fishing equipment increases and so does increase the demand of Loi vines. The livelihoods of hundreds of fishermen who collect trade and use fishing tackle are involved in Loi trading.
As there is no forest in Chalanbeel area, the needy people of this area go out in search of Loi in different areas of Rangpur, Dinajpur including Barind area of Rajshahi. They collect Loi from those areas and bring it for sale at Amritkunda Loi market in Chatmohar, Pabna. Loi survive by embracing bushes, forests, and bamboo bushes. This vines are also involved in the livelihood of the fishermen of the Chalanbeel area.
Speaking to Loi collectors in the Chalanbeel area, it is learned that in the hilly and highlands of the Barind region, Loi grows in disregard of bushes. It is about 20 to 30 feet long. They collect most of the Loi from the rural areas of Setabganj in Dinajpur, Madhupur in Tangail and Rajshahi. Many asked to cut their Loi from the bushes next to the house.
Mozahar Ali, a Loi trader from Kainura village in Chatmohar, said that Loi collectors come to Amritkunda Haat on Sunday to sell loi. We buy from them wholesale and sell at retail. He takes a handful of 500 to 600 grams and sell it for 200 to 250 Tk. Retail buyers buy Loi from us and make other fishing instruments. Hundreds of fishermen in the Chalanbeel make a living by buying fishing equipment made from Loi and selling it to catch fish in ponds.
People from Pabna, Natore, Sirajganj and surrounding areas come to this market to buy Loi. Ignoring the rules and regulations, this haat is set up on the side of the railway line trade goes on there at the risk of people’s lives. There is a risk of major accident, there is a risk of loss of life at any time, but no one is taking any effective steps in this regard.