IMPACT OF FISH BIODIVERSITY ON THE LIVELIHOOD OF FISHERS IN THE HAOR REGION OF BANGLADESH

Abstract

The study was conducted to investigate the impact of fish biodiversity on the livelihood of fishers in Soma Nadi Jalmohal and Dekhar haor of Sunamganj, Bangladesh for a period of eleven months from June 2013 to April 2014. A total 80 fishermen were randomly selected for the study and data were collected through direct interview using a well-structured questionnaire. Focus group discussions (FGD) were carried out by a previously made checklist. Key informant interviews were made to cross-check the collected data from the fishers. The findings showed that 71 fish species belonging to 28 families and 10 groups along with two prawn species, of which 24 species are commonly available, 17 moderately available, 19 rare and 13 unavailable species. The highest numbers (29%) of fishes were catfish. Fishing is the main occupation of fishers and some were engaged in other occupation for their livelihoods. The result showed that the mean annual income of the fishers from fishing was BDT (47838±12232) in Soma Nodi Jalmohal and BDT (41047±13069) in Dekhar haor respectively. Annual income of fishermen both Soma Nadi Jalmohal and Dekhar haor varied from BDT 48800 to BDT 135400 and BDT 34900 to BDT 176100 with a mean income of BDT (71786±17817) and BDT (62000±22945) respectively. Most of the fishermen were received credit facilities with range of BDT 7000 to BDT 15,000. According to this study 17% fishers switched their profession and 87% continued fishing in Soma Nadi Jalmohal, in Dekhar haor 69% switched their profession while 31% were not switched. The study reveals that most of the fishermen belonged to the age of (22-70) years. Muslim fishermen are most dominant in Dekhar haor than Soma Nadi Jalmohal. Family size of the fishermen was (2-11) persons per family, among those, small family consisted of (2-4) members, medium family consisted of (57) members and large family consisted of above 8 members. In case of education, the highest

40% (below-V), 35% illiterate, 15% (above SSC) and the lowest 10% (VI-X) level were found

in Soma Nadi Jalmohal

and in Dekhar haor the highest 57% illiterate, 20% (below-V), 13% class (VI-X) the lowest and 10% (above SSC) level were found. Few fishermen received formal training from DoF, WorldFish, NGO’s etc. Housing and sanitation condition of the fishermen were not well developed. Nearly all of the fishermen used tube-well water for drinking purpose. The findings of the study showed that in Soma Nadi Jalmohal, 45% taken health facilities from upazila health complex, 30% from village doctors and 25% from private practitioner MBBS doctors. However in Dekhar haor 50% were found to be dependent on village doctors, 30% on upazila health complexes, 10% on private practitioner MBBS doctor and 10% on kobiraj. Women also participated in various incomes generating activities to improve their livelihood along with the household activities. Based on various livelihood parameters it is concluded that Soma Nodi Jalmohal fishermen leading better livelihood status in comparison to the fishermen of Dekhar haor. The fishermen in the study area mostly depended on capture fishes from the hoar for their livelihood. As fish diversity of haor is decreasing day by day it adversely affected the livelihood of the fishers in the haor region of Bangladesh.