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Fish Biodiversity and Livelihood Status of Fishing Community of Tista River, Bangladesh

M.A. Rahman Khan
Faculty of Fisheries, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202

Rajaulkarim
Faculty of Fisheries, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202

M.H. Minar
Faculty of Fisheries, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202

Afroza Begum
Faculty of Fisheries, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202

M. Belal Hossain
Department of Fisheries Marine Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Sonapur, Noakhali-3814, Bangladesh

M. Idris Miah
Faculty of Fisheries, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

This investigation was carried out from July to October, 2011 to assess the fish biodiversity and livelihood status of fishing community of the Tista river based on catch assessment survey and personal interview. In total, 42 fish species belonging to 7 common groups were identified from the river. Among them 7 species of carps, 9 species of catfishes, 4 species of snake heads, 3 species of eels, 7 species barbs and minnows, 4 species of perch and 8 miscellaneous species were recorded. The highest value (1.38) of species richness was observed in catfish and the lowest (0.46) was in eel. Livelihood status of fishermen were studied in terms of age structure, religious status, educational status, family size, monthly income, income from fishing, housing condition, training exposure, land area, savings, family type, sanitation facilities, health facilities and drinking water facilities. It was found that age group of young was the highest (42%) while old group was the lowest (21%). Among the fishers the percentage of Muslims and Hindus were 80% and 20%, respectively. On the other hand, 73% fishermen were illiterate, 21% had up to primary level and 6% had secondary level of education. The highest and the lowest percentage of annual income of fishermen were found in moderate group and high group, respectively. Most of the fishermen’s houses (83%) were kacha and very few (17%) were semi pakka. About 80% fishermen households were dependent on village doctor, 15% received health service from the Upazila health complex and 5% from Kobiraj. The highest percentage (57%) of family size was in medium family size group whereas the lowest was in small group. Hundred percent (100%) of the fishermen households used tube well water for drinking purpose. It can be concluded that fishermen of Tista river were mostly illiterate, lack of training exposure, lack of awareness about health facilities, sanitation and fish biodiversity of the Tista river has also declined day by day due to over exploitation and natural causes. Various recommendations and measures have been suggested to improve the fish biodiversity and livelihood status of fishers in the Tista river area.

Keywords: Livelihood Status, Fish Biodiversity, Constraints, Tista river

Location: Lalmonirhat district, Bangladesh.

Start Date: 00-07-2011

End Date: 00-10-2011

Program Area: Conservation and Biodiversity

Commodity: Aquatic animal

Objectives:

1. To assess the fish biodiversity and livelihood status of fishing community of the Tista river based on catch assessment survey and personal interview.

Methodology:

The main criterion for the selection of the study area is adequate cover wider geographical range of fish biodiversity and a number of fishermen who depend on the extent practicable. Initially, the primary data was collected from Gangachara Official Fishing upazila on fish biodiversity and concentration of fishing activities on the river Tista. Based on this preliminary study, the final decision was taken by the study of this river. In this study, a total of 100 fishermen were randomly selected from the villages around the river. Fisher men were categorized into seven groups on the basis of fishing gear which were used by them. Each group, 25 Cast nets, 20 Current jals, 10 Dharma jals, 10 Thelajals, 12 Jhayetjal, 13 Borshi and 10 Long lines operators. During collection of data, both primary and secondary sources were considered. Primary data were collected from fishermen by the researcher himself. Several visits were made to the study area to collect accurate information related to objectives of the study through interview schedule. To study a combination of program inter views, participatory rural appraisal (PRA) of Microsoft, such as focus groups (FGD), social mapping and cross checking key informant interviews were used to fishermen. For the study of fish biodiversity of Tista river sampling of catches and their assessment were carried out once in a week. The representative samples were taken by hand without repetition of the same gear in each sampling day.

Source of Information: Global Veterinaria 10 (4): 417-423, 2013

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

During the study period, with the greatest number of species (37) were recorded incase of cast net. The number of species caught by nets follows, other species Jhayetjal 13, Dharmajal 19 species, 37 species net cast, current species jaljal species Thela 24 and 15 while long line fishing caught eight fish species borshi and 10 species were captured. From the above discussion it can be concluded that the fishermen of Tista River area were mostly illiterate, lack of training exposure, lack of awareness about health services, sanitation low save money but chose to manage the media future life and biodiversity Tista river has decreased day by day due to over exploitation thus hampered their livelihoods.

Knowledge Management: Journal