Agricultural Research Management Information System

Home
Research Summary
Search
About Us
- ARMIS
- Brochure
Contact Us
Report
User Request
Data Input
Help
- Operation Manual
  - PDF
  - Video
- Program Area & Commodity
We have reached 37600 number of research entries at this moment.

- Logout

Research Detail

Home
Research
Detail

Understanding the Nature of Community and Fishermen’s Access in Water Bodies of Haor Areas at Sunamgonj District: a Case Study on Matergaon Ganger Aga

Faisal Ahmmed
Department of Social Work, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet-3114

Neaz Ahmed
Department of Social Work, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet-3114

Abul Kashem
Department of Social Work, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet-3114

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The article is the outcome of a case study conducted at Matargaon Ganger Aga water body of Jamalgonj upozila in Sunamgonj district. The challenges relating the access of the villagers in water body of Matargaon Ganger Aga was explored following qualitative method. Study findings indicate that the Khas collection and leasing of the water body has created tension and frustration among the villagers. Both of these processes h ave affected the life of the villagers adversely. The production of fish and regenerated fish varieties has been declined dramatically. As its result, the poor villagers who are dependent on fishing are experiencing loss of income. Without any alternative source of income, a socio-economic condition of these people has deteriorated. Moreover, the villagers cannot catch fish for their daily consumption. An indirect restriction has been imposed against the villagers to the water land by the leaseholders. This has severely affected free access of the villagers to their own water land. The water body has already experienced a gradual loss of water weds, grasses, aquatic vegetables, zooplankton and trees for unskilled fishing after the government’s initiative for Khas collection. Species of resident and migratory water birds are disappearing. The study observes that there was a clear conflict and misunderstanding between the villagers and local administration in this connection. Villagers have also become divided in favor and disfavor of existing leasing based on their personal interest. The villagers suggested that the existing leasing system should be changed in a way so that local community people get priority in the water land. They also recommended that local administration, community leaders, civil society, development organizations, villagers, lease holder s and local people’s representatives should seat together to have a way to get the rights in the water land back to the villagers.

Keywords: Fishermen, Access, Haor, Water body

Location:

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Non-commodity: Social status

Objectives:

The main objective of this study was to delineate the challenges relating the access of the villagers to the water body of Matargaon Ganger Aga. However the specific objectives are-

Determining and documenting the factors why villagers and fisherman community is fighting to establishing their right to access in water body
Analyzing state policy and role, role of vested interest and power groups in harvesting the production of water body
Delineate the impact of ‘not fisherman’ people’s control over water body and water resources
Identify how poor villager’s and fisherman community’s access to respective water body can be ensured.

Methodology:

With the objectives of an in-depth exploration of the problems experienced by the villagers to get access in water resource, the research project used qualitative methodology designed to identify meanings of challenges, its impacts and pattern of external pressure on their everyday life and livelihood. The design followed the guidelines of ethnographic research. Since the findings of a research were heavily dependent on reliable data sets and their analysis (Patton, 1990) this research focused heavily on the field work phase. During the fieldwork the researchers stayed and interacted with various stakeholders. This study was designed to make use of both naturalistic observation and interview narratives to explore the livelihood of the villagers from within their natural environment. The study followed in-depth, open-ended interviews and direct observation along with informal and formal discussion as techniques for collecting data from the participants. Three focus group discussions (FGD) were also conducted. Fishermen, villagers, lease holders, civil society men, local elites,

Understanding the Nature of Community and Fishermen’s Access in Water Bodies of Haor Areas at Sunamgonj District:A Case Study on Matergaon Ganger Aga 51 development activists and respective government officials were the sources of information. Government laws and provisions regarding leasing system are also used.

Source of Information: SUST Studies, Vol. 12, No. 1, 2010; P: 49-57

Article Link (Online Journal): http://sustjournals.org/uploads/archive/85753ace3ce966ad95dd0cc3e438e743.pdf

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

In most cases it is seen that people of Haor region have limited sources of income. Agriculture is practiced here for about six months of the total year and rest of the time cultivable lands remain under water. This reality has created massive poverty among most of the dwellers as they don’t have enough income from agriculture and therefore, they engage in fishing. Hence these people survive on fishing for a certain period of time; legal protection, monitoring or motivation may not be the only way to resist them from unplanned fishing. Therefore, creating job opportunities for the poor and arranging alternative sustainable livelihood for the villagers who are dependent on fishing can help to protect, preserve and develop water resources. As the socio-economic condition of fisherman community is very poor, comprehensive program for changing economic situation of Haor dwellers is essential. Development of fish resources, to ensure their access in water bodies as well as creating alternative livelihood is needed for the advancement of this community. Sweet water fishes of Bangladesh have international reputation. This sector can create huge number of job opportunity as well as it can be one of the dominant sources of earning foreign currency for the country if it is properly managed. Since traditionally fisherman community has knowledge and skills in sustainable fishing, their massive participation and access in water bodies can contribute positively in fisheries sector and their socio economic situation will be improved automatically.

Knowledge Management: Journal