A new feather is set to be added to Balagarh's crown. If everything goes according to plan, Balagarh's boat industry will receive the GI (Geographical Indication) tag by April this year. Balagarh is known as the bearer of dinghy and boat craftsmanship. This industry in Balagarh is approximately 400-500 years old. Several artisan families still survive there, holding onto the boat industry. The artisans believe that if Balagarh's boat industry receives the GI tag, it will gain international recognition and significantly expand business opportunities.
Earlier, 40 families in Balagarh were associated with this profession. But now it has reduced to just 20 families. Although the younger generation shows no interest, they continue to survive by clinging to this industry. However, this industry has currently reached rock bottom. Mainly due to lower wages for workers and reduced boat sales compared to earlier times, many have withdrawn from this industry.
At one time, orders for boat construction came from various places including Sundarbans, Namkhana, and Kakdwip in North 24 Parganas. Currently, only a handful of people remain associated with this industry. A section of artisans believes that Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about building a port in Balagarh at the Singur rally on January 18. This gives them hope. The artisans think that receiving the GI tag will enable them to send boats to various places.
At one time, boats were the means of transportation from Balagarh to Saptagram. There was a port in Saptagram. Boats were used for trade and commerce. Apart from commercial purposes, travel was also possible through dinghies and boats. Boat factories exist in Sripur, Rajbanshipara, Chandra, and Tentuliya. This ancient boat industry is now set to receive the GI tag. This is the claim of boat artisan and regional researcher of Balagarh, Partha Chattopadhyay.
The application for GI was submitted in 2023. The process began in 2022. The hearing continued for about a year. The application was submitted by Pinaki Ghosh, Vice-Chancellor of WBNSJU (West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences). He is the main initiator. Partha Chattopadhyay, Bengali teacher at Bijoy Krishna Mahavidyalaya, assisted him in the research.
A cooperative of boat artisans has already been formed. The application has been submitted, hearings conducted, and this research paper has been presented in the GI journal. Researcher Partha Chattopadhyay says, "The GI has not been officially announced yet. However, the GI announcement may happen in April this year." The original boat is the dinghy, which is made exclusively in Balagarh. Nowhere else has boats ever been made using the 'jor kath' method (joining one piece of wood with another). This made the boats very sturdy.
Currently, this industry is ailing. Earlier, boats were made from babla or sal wood. There is now a shortage of that wood too. Will there be financial benefits from receiving the GI tag? According to the researcher, "I don't think there will be any financial benefits. However, a new feather will be added to Balagarh's crown. If the central and state governments don't come forward jointly to preserve this ancient industry, then this industry may shut down. Therefore, government assistance is needed to keep this industry alive."
Artisans Sanjay Pramanik and Kalipada Barik believe that boat industry businessmen may benefit from receiving the GI tag. According to them, "If we get GI, we can sell boats. If boats from here go to different states, we will benefit. It won't just be used for fishing, but also for tourism. If boats are supplied to various lakes, it will be advantageous for us."
Hooghly MP Rachna Banerjee says, "I will be happy if we get the GI tag. This will benefit the boat artisans. Because they were always looked down upon. They will also be able to go to other states." Sahdev Barman, co-president of the Boat Industry Cooperative, says, "We still don't understand what will happen if we get GI. If the government creates a market for us after getting the GI tag, and if outside buyers come, then we will benefit."
