Bawalis are returning from the Sundarbans with golpata

Bawalis have started returning from the Sundarbans after collecting golpata. A month ago, they went to the forest along the forest department to collect golpata. They are returning with golpata by boat.

According to the forest department sources, like every year in the Sundarbans, the festival of cutting the leaves started according to the government rules. This year 28 boats taking passes from the Burigoalini Forest Station went to collect golpata in the Sundarbans. The forest department had set a target of 46,000 quintals for the current season. Talking to the bawalis who are collecting golpata in the Sundarbans, it was learned that after a month they have started to return.

This year's Golpata harvesting season will continue till March 31 in Satkhira Range of West Sundarbans. Bawalis will be able to extract golpata from 6 designated spots in the Sundarbans. During this time adequate security measures were taken for the Bawalis.

Satkhira Assistant Forest Conservator (ACF) MA Hasan said that this year in Satkhira Range, Bawalis will collect golpata in 41, 42, 48, 48, 48, 50 (a) and 50 (b) 6 spots in the Sundarbans. The target for extraction is 1 lakh 23 thousand 2 hundred 70 mounds or 48 thousand quintals. The revenue per quintal has been fixed at Tk 26.75 including 15 percent tax. A boat can carry a maximum of 500 mound golpata. Each boat can accommodate 5/6 Bawalis. Bawalis are advised to protect themselves from wildlife attacks while collecting golpata. At this time the patrol was intensified in the Sundarbans by the forest department. ACF MA Hasan expressed hope that the target of collecting golpata and collecting revenue will be achieved this year as the weather is favorable.