Khagrachari June 21,(V7N) - The traditional scene of bamboo groves and cane forests beside homes is a timeless image of rural Bengal. However, with the widespread deforestation outside forest areas, these types of vegetation are vanishing. 
 
Once, thousands of products were made from bamboo and cane across the country's vast regions. Housewives would cut fresh bamboo and cane from nearby groves to create various items. Now, bamboo and cane products are hardly appreciated.
 
This craft is on the verge of extinction. There was a time when rural populations used bamboo and cane tools for household, agricultural, and business purposes. Bamboo and cane furniture were common in homes, offices, and courts. Over time, everything has changed, including in Khagrachari district. Despite this, a few people in Khagrachari district and various upazilas still cling to bamboo and cane crafts for their livelihood.
 
In today's era of technology, affordable plastic and metal products have replaced the charming items made from bamboo and cane in Chandpur. As a result, these beautiful bamboo and cane products are disappearing. With no demand, the traditional and attractive bamboo furniture is vanishing from villages. Due to poverty, many craftsmen are abandoning their ancestral profession and turning to other occupations. Despite severe hardships, a handful of families in the district still hold onto this ancestral craft.
 
Discussions with relevant people in various areas of the district reveal that many once made a living by creating various items from bamboo and cane. But now, bamboo and cane are almost non-existent. Moreover, fair wages for the crafted products are not available. The lack of proper maintenance, government support, and the dominance of plastic goods in the market have led to a decline in demand for these crafts, pushing bamboo and cane artistry to the brink of extinction.
 
Therefore, Khagrachari's renowned bamboo craftsmen are leaving their ancestral profession for better opportunities. With the touch of technology and modernity, bamboo and cane crafts might be hard to find in this region in the future. To protect against natural disasters, it is crucial to maintain bamboo and cane plantations.
 
Despite the declining demand for bamboo and cane products, field visits show that they still have considerable value in hilly areas, markets, and several key bazaars. Artisans in these markets display various bamboo and cane products, including winnowing fans, sieves, cages, platforms, ladders, mats, drums, granaries, grain storage containers, partitions, baskets, stools, fish traps, headrests, sofa sets, and bookshelves. Experts believe that with government assistance, this familiar rural craft could potentially be revived.
 
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