Assessment of economic vulnerability of the households of floodplain wetland fishermen

Abstract

Fishermen communities, in general and inland fishermen in particular are one of the most marginalised and vulnerable group in India with extreme poverty and very low economic base. The present study was conducted to investigate the economic vulnerability of the fishermen households of two beels (floodplain wetlands) in West Bengal (Kholshi and Akaipur) and one beel in Assam (Deepor) based on a sample of 185 fishermen households. By employing the methodology developed by Bene (2009) it was found that the average vulnerability scores were 0.21, 0.14 and 0.33 for Kholsi, Akaipur and Deepor beels, respectively on a scale of 0 to 1. The study showed that in flood plain wetlands with well managed cooperative society, optimum and scientific stocking, income diversification and participatory management, agricultural land holdings can significantly lower economic vulnerability of the fishermen households. The study suggests the Government to facilitate creation of supplementary income generating opportunities and integrated agricultural activities in the vicinity of the wetlands. There is potential for developing eco-tourism with suitable infrastructure in beels like Deepor, which may help to provide supplementary employment to fishermen.