At one time the Chalan Beel was spread over an area of 855 square miles in 9 upazilas of Pabna, Natore and Sirajganj districts but that vast area is gradually decreasing now.
Although the construction of numerous new roads over different areas of Chalan Beel has facilitated the communication system it has hampered Chalan Beel in an extensive way. Due to the newly built roads and navigability crisis in the rivers and canals Chalan Beel has lost its glorious past self.
Every year, 222.5 million cubic feet of silt enters the Beel through the rivers falling into the Beel and 53 million cubic feet of silt flows out of the Beel through the rivers flowing out of the Beel. The remaining 169.5 million cubic feet of silt settles on the bottom of the Beel each year, increasing the average height of the Beel by 0.5 inches.
With the construction of many roads and the gradual increase in the height of the Beel, the number of waterways has decreased along with the number of vessels plying there.
About 50 years ago, people used to travel the deep, dangerous water waves of Chalan Beel with difficulties. Even a few years ago, boats used to ply with pride across the Beel during the Bengali months of Ashar-Shrabon (monsoon). However, in recent years the number of boats plying in Chalan Beel has been declining rapidly due to insufficient water in the Beel.
During monsoon other years, the demand of small dinghy boats used to spike in the areas adjacent to Chalan Beel. However this year, although the monsoon season is almost over, new water have not yet entered the small Beels in Chatmohar, Bhangura, Faridpur, Gurudaspur, Tarash, Singra and many other areas surrounding Chalan Beel.
Even if new water did enter some of the Beels, it is not enough for boat movement. That is why demand of dinghy boats is declining in the Chalan Beel area. However, some locals are still making a living by building and selling dinghy boats.
Abdul Mannan, a dinghy boat trader from Chatmohar’s Mirzapur village, said dinghy boats are selling in a few numbers this year due to water shortages. Even though, some dinghy boats are coming to the local boat haats, almost no buyers are found for the boats.
Currently, 12 hand long mahogany wood and tin made dinghy boats are being sold at Tk 5 to 5 thousand each; 11 hand long dinghy boat made of Karai wood at Tk 3 thousand; 10 hand long dinghy boat made of Shimul wood at Tk 2.6 thousand; 10 hand long dinghy boat made of Latim wood at Tk 1.8 to 2 thousand and 11 hand long Mango wood made dinghy boats are being sold for Tk 3.5 thousand.
Meanwhile, Mahogany wood suitable for boat building is being sold at Tk 350 per CFT, Karai wood at Tk 240, Shimul wood at Tk 180, Latim wood at Tk 140 and Mango wood is being sold at Tk 240 in the area.
It usually takes 6 to 7 CFT of wood, iron worth of Tk 100 to build a 11 hand long dinghy boat. In addition the builder of the boat has to be paid about Tk 600 as payment. So, the local traders are incurring losses due to the buyer crisis this year, said the dinghy boat trader.
Zakir Selim, a resident of Handiyal said dinghy boats are used for fishing, river crossing, boys and girls going to school and college, removing water hyacinth accumulated on paddy fields. Many people make a living by buying dinghy boats and helping people cross the river on them in exchange of money. This year the demand of dinghy boats are not seen so much as the roads are dry and there is not enough water in the local water bodies.
However, it is learned that more or less dinghy boats are being built in all the upazilas adjacent to Chalan Beel. Dinghy boats are sold at Chanchkair Hat on Tuesday, at Ershadnagar Hat on Wednesday, at Salanga and some other Hats on Monday and at Mirzapur Hat on every day of the week.