| dc.description.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. | en_US |
