Fish Species Biodiversity and Livelihood Status of Fisheries Community in Dekhar Haor

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess the present situation of fish biodiversity and livelihood status of fishers’ community in Dekhar haor under Sunamganj sadar and Dakhin Sunamganj upazilla of Sunamganj district, for a period of nine months, April to December 2014. The study was based on personal interview of fishers, focus group discussions (FGDs) with river bank fishers’ community and cross-check interviews with key informants (KI). A total of 100 fishers were randomly selected for direct interview and data were collected through a prescribed questionnaire. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were made properly using a detailed checklist. The collected data and key information’s were shared and cross-checked with Upazilla Fishery Officer (UFO). Results of the study revealed that a total 74 species including three prawn species belonging to 12 orders, 26 families under 10 common groups where 26 species were abundantly available, 20 species were frequently available, 18 were rarely available and 10 were very rare species. Among 74 species, 8 were critically endangered (CR), 17 were endangered (EN), 9 were vulnerable (VU) and 39 were not threatened (NO). Ten common groups of fishes were identified in the Dekhar haor. Among them 18 species of catfishes (24%), 13 species of perches (18%), 12 species of carps (16%), 11 species of barbs and minnows (15%), 6 species of snakeheads (8%),4 species of eels and mud eels (5%), 3 species of feather backs (4%), 3 miscellaneous species (4%), 2 species of loaches (3%) and 2 species of clupeids (3%) were recorded. Considering livelihood status, the socio economic condition of the fishers in Dekhar haor was very poor. The interviewed fisher of the haor area was studied in terms of age group of 10-30 years, which were the highest (55%) and middle aged people were 28%. In the villages, around 80% people were Muslims and only 20% were Hindus. Regarding the educational level, 57% can sign, 26% were primary level passed, 10% were secondary level passed and 7% were totally illiterate. Occupation of the study area was fishing, agriculture, day labourer, business, unemployed and their percentages were70%, 20%, 5%,1% and 4%,respectively.From the present study, it was found that 90%fishermen’s housing facilities were tin roof, 8% were hut and 2% were others. Most of the people, about 79% were using semi-paccalatrin. But there were 16% people who were using paccalatrin and 5% people were using open field or no latrin. In case of medical facility, 20% people get medical facilities from upazila government hospital, 38.50% people go to nearby kobiraj, 11.50% go for homeopath medicine, 20% people go to village doctor, and rest of 10% people go to private doctor for their treatment. There were 10% people who were highest annual income earner (100,000-above Tk/year).There were 20% Medium income earner(61,00099,000

Tk/year) and 70% lower income earner (40,000-60,000 Tk/year).There was no supply water facility that’s why they have to use water from haor, pond or nearby tube wall. The housing and sanitation condition of the fishers were not good enough and health care facilities were not up to the mark that fully depends upon upazila health complex. Different types of fishing gears like seine net, gill net, cast net, push net, lift net, trap and hook and line were operated to catch fish by the fishers. The fishers in the study area mostly depend on fishing from the haor for their livelihood. Remarkable number of women was also involved in various alternative income generating activities (AIGAs) along with housekeeping. According to survey, fishing pressure and overfishing were responsible for the loss of fish biodiversity and pollution and siltation caused for the loss of ecosystem. The water quality is deteriorating day by day and the availability of fish species and other aquatic biodiversity is decreasing gradually. Finally, it is concluded that increased fishing pressure, siltation and pollution of the haor region seriously affected the abundance of indigenous fishes.