Swapon Chowdhury, from Rangpur
Instead of cattle driven carriages, the demand of horse-cart has been increasing in Char areas of Rangpur.
Several years ago, there was no use of horse-cart in the district. In the entire Rangpur region, cattle driven carriages were widely used.
Earlier, many people were involved with the cattle driven carriages and making various parts including the wheels of those. In many places, the making of cattle carriages got popularity then. But, the cattle-carriage industry is on the verge of extinction in Rangpur region.
It was learnt that carrying of various crops from char areas under Kaunia, Gangachara and Pirgaccha of Rangpur, Kaliganj, Aditmari and Hatibandha and Chilmari and Ulipur of Kurigram district were being carried through horse-driven carriages for the last five-year. In the remote char villages where there are no smooth road communication, horse driven carriages are the only way to communicate and carry goods from there. This carriage is used to carry crops from the field to the storehouses or wholesalers of the farmers of the char villages. Day by day, the demand of this environmentally friendly carriage is increasing in the region, sources said.
After visiting various char villages of Jairam Odha, Ichli char and Shankardaha of Luxmitari union of Gangachara upazila, this correspondent noticed that the potato was being harvested and carried from fields through horse carts. As there is no sufficient water in the river, boats can’t move through it during the dry season. As a result, the horse carts are being used to carry crops and others goods such as potato, paddy, lentil and nuts to various hats and markets of Kaliganj and Aditmari upazilas by crossing the Teesta.
Potato farmer Lulu Mia said, “The wholesale vegetable traders arrived at the char areas by riding on horse carts to purchase potato every day morning.”
Another Potato trader, Alamgir of Kaliganj, said, “Now cattle driven carriage is not available, moreover, rickshaws or vans can’t run through the char areas so I arrived at the char on a horse carriage.”
Tarek Mia of Mohipur area was carrying potatoes on horse carriage across the river. He said that horse-driven carriages are the only means of transport at the char areas as there is no water in the river.
He said, “Five to six sacks of potato (10 to 12 maund) can be carried through a horse-cart.”
Owner of a horse-cart in the area said, “The price of horse and the van being under a reasonable level. Many people are now choosing to purchase a horse and carriage for their income.”
He also said, “A healthy and fit horse can be purchased at Tk 20,000 to 25,000. Many people of the char villages are also rearing horses as their profession.”
A horse-cart driver of Shankardaha char village, Aminur Rahman, said, “I earn Tk 400 to 500 daily by transporting goods. I can manage my family well with the money even after purchasing food for the horse.”
He further said, “The price of a horse is less than a cow and the horse is comparatively stronger and fit than a cow.”
