IMPACT OF FISH BIODIVERSITY ON FISHERS LIVELIHOOD OF HAKALUKI HAOR IN BANGLADESH

Abstract

It is not well understood whether fish biodiversity has an impact on the livelihood status of the fishermen. An investigation was carried out from July 2013 to June 2014 to assess the effects of fish biodiversity on the livelihood status of fishing community of the Hakaluki haor based on field survey through questionnaire interview and focus group discussion in the three successive sites viz. Kulaura (Nagua beel), Borolekha (Jollar beel) and Fenchugonj (Gilachaki beel). In this study a total 82 fish species were identified belonging to 9 orders 22 families and 50 genera; where 26 fish species were categorized as large (>30 cm), 18 medium (max. 30cm), 31 small (max. 15 cm) and rests 7 were very small (max 5 cm). Among which 3 species were identified as critically endangered, 13 endangered, 10 vulnerable, 42 not threatened, 5 data deficient and 9 not evaluated in the haor. About 72-86% fish was found to be declined by different fish groups. The investigation also revealed that most of the fishermen had nuclear family (90%) while few (10%) had joint family. Religious status showed that majorities (95.14%) were Muslims and minority (4.85%) was Hindus. The basic need of Fishermen like education, food taken, housing condition, health and sanitation were not satisfactory. About 33.20% of fishermen had literacy up to primary-secondary level, 65.46 % illiterate and only 1.33% had literacy up to higher secondary level. It was found that more than half of fishermen (55.55%) took only two meals per day and rest of them take three meals (44.44%) per day; they had no enough chance to take four meals per day. About 66.66% of the fishermen had kacha house, while 26.66% had semi paka and 6.66% had paka house only. Most of the fishermen had the worth toilet facilities; 58.33% kacha toilet whereas 3.66% had no toilet facility. About 48.66% full time, 30.33% seasonal and 15.66% subsistence fishermen were recorded. Among them 50.67% involve in group fishing and 49.33% in individual fishing. Only one-third (30.77%) fisheries co-operative societies were active and majorities (69.22%) were found to be inactive. Presently only 21.37 % fishermen continued their livelihood through fishing while others changed to alternative occupations. Finally, various recommendations were suggested with a view to improving the fish biodiversity and livelihood of fishers in the Hakaluki haor area.