The closure of the border haat in no-man's land along the Jinjiram River at Baliamari Char of Rajibpur upazila in Kurigram district has impacted the livelihoods of more than one hundred families based in the region.

The border haat provided various ways to earn a living for locals but that has since come to an end following its closure in March 2020, when the government implemented a slew of restrictions to contain the spread of Covid-19.

Ever since the haat opened, the people of Baliamari char looked to it as an additional source of income but over time, it became a primary earning source for most families in the area.

Day labourers, fishermen and almost everyone else of Baliamari char depended on the haat to sustain their livelihoods, according to various locals.

Bangladesh and India jointly launched Border Haat in 2011 along the borders of Kurigram district in Bangladesh and West Garo Hill district in the Indian state of Meghalaya.

Since then, three more border haats have been opened by the two nations in order to enable their residents in remote border areas to engage in formal trade.

"In addition to the four existing border haats, both countries are preparing to open six more these haats, three of which are ready to open," said a senior official of the commerce ministry seeking anonymity.

He went on to say that the border haats that were closed in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic are yet to be reopened.

"But we have border haat management committees at the local level and they can take the decision to reopen the bazaars if they think it's appropriate," he said. The commerce ministry said trade became easier and the ratio of informal trade through the border declined following the opening of such haats.

The haat in Baliamari char would sit two days a week, when buyers and sellers from both countries would come to buy and sell garments, agro-products, and handicrafts.

And through the trade of goods and subsequent rise of relevant businesses, such as those that would transport the goods or carry passengers across Jinjiram river, this border haat became a vital source of income for locals.

"The border haat was closed as per the decision of both Bangladesh and India amid the then rising rate of coronavirus infections," said Babu Miah, a member of the local union parishad.

"The haat will remain closed until the two countries come to a decision on the matter but in the meantime, hundreds of families in the area are now sitting idle at home," he added.

The haat used to see business of about Tk 50 lakh to Tk 80 per month during the pre-pandemic era.

"We communicated with Border Guard Bangladesh to reopen the Haat in the greater interest of hundreds of families but they told us that the decision would be made by the higher authorities of both countries," Miah said.

Manju Miah, a resident of Baliamari char, said that 10 to 15 boats were once placed in Jinjiram River to carry passengers to the border haat.

Each boatman would earn Tk 1,500-2,000 each day by carrying passengers and goods when the haat was open

"I have a boat too but it is now tied away in the river as no one comes to Baliamari Ghat because the border haat is closed," he said, adding his family has been passing days half starved.

Sahidar Rahman, another resident of the area, said he would work as a day labourer before the haat was opened. After that though, he was able to make an adequate living by opening a small shop in the haat.

However, the stall has since been kept closed due to Covid-19 restrictions.

"The coronavirus has badly affected our lives as we have become unemployed due to the haat's closure in line with government restrictions," said Nabez Ali, the owner of a small business in Baliamari char.

"I do not know when the coronavirus will go away forever and normalcy will return to the border haat," Ali added.

Akbar Hosain Hiro, parishad chairman of Rajibpur upazila, said that there is no problem on Bangladesh's behalf to reopen the haat but India is not responding in this regard.

"The border haat provided livelihoods for many families but due to its closure, these people have been facing an income crisis," he said, adding that many people from different areas would come to the haat to buy various necessities.