PHOTO: EXPRESS
BHAKKAR:
Timber has long been used to prepare building material and furniture, while also playing a pivotal role in generating revenue. Pakistan consists of a number of markets for this material, but Bhakkar’s Timber Mandi takes the lead.
Situated in Darya Khan tehsil, the Timber Mandi in the district is one of the largest and produces high quality wood, including sheesham, tali and ghagal which is transported to different cities. It is established on more than 400 kanals of land owned by the Bangyal, Rana, Joiya, Waghur and Pathan families.
In 1988, the Timber Mandi was established in a taal (small area) near a railway station vicinity. Now, it has become a major wood producing industry. With the passage of time, the taals increased, providing wood in large quantity for basic needs to the people.
The owner of a Taal and woodcutting machine, Tanveer Waghura, tells Express News that in 2001, during the Pervez Musharraf era, the Joiya family installed a weight machine on Dulewala Road near Bangyal Chowk. He says the machine is used to calculate the weight of the wood after it is loaded on trucks, trailers and donkey carts.
He adds in 2005, a chipboard factory, located in Peshawar, started to purchase ghagal and safeda wood from Timber Mandi. The trade is generally carried out through agents belonging to Darhal, Kundi, Waghora and Darkhan families.
He mentions that approximately 24,000 kilogramme of wood was transported on a daily basis and the work continued for several years. However, since 2009, 400,000 kilogrammes to 600,000 kilogrammes of timber is being produced and delivered in several major cities, including Peshawar, Karachi, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Sheikhupura, Muzafargarh, and Khan Garh, Tanveer maintains.
According to an estimate, more than 20 trucks and trailers are loaded with wood each day, while 120 woodcutting machines are being used in Timber Mandi. This occupation is the source of income for thousands of people, who work hard and make a living. Most people involved in woodcutting profession are paid Rs30,000 monthly wages, while their accommodation and food is the responsibility of the manufacturer. The prescribed minimum wage for a labourer is Rs15,000.
Similarly, labourers who work in groups of four to five people and transport wood from one place to another, earn Rs4,000 to Rs5,000 daily.
Statistics reveal that in 2001, there was only one weighing machine (Kanta) but in 2019, six such machines are being used for the purpose. Each machine consume electricity worth Rs40,000 to Rs45,000 on a monthly basis.
The price of wood ranges from Rs4.25 per kilogramme to Rs22 per kilogramme ,depending on its type. The high quality thick wood, which is used as fuel in factories, is sold at higher rates i.e. Rs4.50 per kilogramme to Rs5.25 per kilogramme. The wood is brought from areas including Dulewala, 47 Chak, Karari Miner, Jandwala, Saraye Muhajir and Dera Ismail Khan.
Meanwhile, wooden boxes used in packing fruits and vegetables are also produced in Darya Khan. At least 80% of such boxes are prepared and delivered to Multan, Quetta, Sargodha, Bhalwal and other areas of the country. Approximately, 5,000 to 6,000 boxes are loaded in one truck.
The most popular woods are safeda, ghagal, tali, sheesham, sunbul, shireen, toot, malta and kakar. Due to the high price of Sheesham and Kakar, their demand is less than others as they are mostly used to manufacture furniture. Wood from ghagal and safeda trees is used in manufacturing chipboard and boxes for packaging purposes. Similarly, wood from tali, kakar, toot, and other trees is used for fuel and furniture as well.
Two brothers, 20-year-old Mohammad Saghir, 12-year-old Mohammad Irfan, and their 12-year-old cousin Mohammad Mohsin have come from Multan to work at the Timber Mandi in Darya Khan. They prepare wooden boxes for packing fruits and vegetables.
While speaking to Express News, Saghir says, “I have learnt the art of preparing boxes at Multan’s timber market and have been working in Darya Khan for seven years.”
He adds that his younger brother Irfan also works with him and has been in the profession for two years.” “We only get Rs11 for preparing a bundle that consists of 26 wooden boxes.”
He points out that his father also operates a wood cutting machine at the Timber Mandi. “We all work hard and manage to earn Rs1,100 daily.”
Saghir says one person earning Rs500 on a daily basis is not enough to fulfill basic the needs of life. He asks the government to increase the wages to facilitate the labour community.
Mohsin tells Express News that his mother died in 2015 while his father is serving a jail sentence for killing a man in a road crash. “I have the responsibility of looking after my two younger sisters. “Despite the lower wages, I am working at the Timber Mandi to support my family,” he elaborates.
With each passing day, wood is becoming a scarce commodity. The cutting of trees on a large scale has also affected the environment and caused an increase in pollution levels. There is a dire need to initiate projects that can prove beneficial for labourers, the environment and for the Timber Mandi. In order to boost the timber sector and improve its conditions, it is essential for the government to take immediate steps and allocate more funds to save it from destruction.
Besides, the government has failed to provide basic facilities to people engaged in the timber business. For the past several years, efforts have not been taken to modernise the operations in Bhakkar’s Timber Mandi. The market lacks a dispensary and medical staff for emergency situations. Despite regular incidents involving cuts and injuries to labourers, the authorities are yet to devise a plan to cope with such situations.
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