Thick black smoke from the burner of a bitumen mixer in the Bypass area of Sylhet’s South Surma blows over the road. Because of the strong smell of melting bitumen used for road repair, locals have to cover their noses and mouths passing the area. Photo: Sheikh Nasir

Workers bringing timber to the “bhashoman kaather haat” (floating wood market) in Pirojpur’s Nesarabad upazila, a traditional river-based timber hub in the Kathmahal area of the Sandhya River. From here, traders supply wood to different parts of the country, including Dhaka. Labourers earn around Tk 800-Tk 1,000 for a full day’s work from morning till evening. PHOTO: TITU DAS