A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF TRADITIONAL FISHING PRACTICE AMONG TRIBAL PEOPLE AT SOME SELECTED REGIONS OF PURULIA DISTRICT

Abhishek Majhi , Dr. Subhasis Bhattacharya

Traditional Fishing, Tribal Fishermen, Income and Livelihood, Statistical Modeling.

Fish and fishery resources play a vital role in improving socio-economic conditions of the fishermen and related people those are involved with its business. It also plays important role of employment opportunities in Purulia as well as West Bengal also. A field study was conducted on the socio-economic conditions of fishermen in Purulia District. The study was carried out for a period of 5 months with the objectives to know the socio-economic condition of involved fishermen and find out some possible suggestions to uplift the livelihood status of local fishermen. The collection of data was done by survey method using well structured questionnaires, PRA and interviewing with fishermen. Socio-economic condition of tribal fishermen communities were presented in terms of, age group, religion, marital status, family type, condition of house, educational status of the fishermen, number of members in their family, school going children, school dropout children, household assets, use of electricity, occupation, sanitation, agricultural land, yearly income and expenditure per month, ownership of the domestic animals, source of drinking water, medical treatment, and loan etc. Fishermen villages are mostly located in inaccessible areas, where there is little communication and developmental or social impact. There is no denying the fact that fishermen and fishing community as a whole the poorest and most disadvantaged group of Purulia. They have no other activities except fishing, which cannot be carried out throughout the year and in idle periods, they lack alternative employment opportunities. Their socio-economic development is negligible. Hence it is essential to know the livelihood status of fishermen. Fishermen suffered many problems in this study area. So there is a necessary to manage and proper guideline for the proper use of resources by community people to ensure their livelihood pattern.

Volume 6 Issue 1, March-2018

Pages : 1080-1088